'Don't Touch My Internet' Protesters Met with Water Cannons

[unhappycamper]

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2014/01/19-2



Riot police use a water cannon to disperse protesters during a rally against a bill which would, among other things, allow Turkey's telecommunications authority to directly block access to websites or remove content deemed to be violating privacy without a court decision, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014.

'Don't Touch My Internet' Protesters Met with Water Cannons
- Common Dreams staff
Published on Sunday, January 19, 2014 by Common Dreams

Turkish citizens protesting a draconian takeover of the nation's internat system on Saturday were met with a violent response from security forces who used rubber bullets and water cannons to disperse grounds in Istanbul.

Though similar protest was also held in the nation's capital of Ankara, only the demonstration in Istanbul turned into a scene of tear gas and chaos as protesters holding signs reading "Dont Touch My Internet" were targeted by riot police and run off the streets by streams of heavy pressure water shot from moving vehicles.

According to the AP:

Police broke up groups of protesters who gathered at the city's main hub, Taksim, and along a main street to denounce the draft bill that would allow Turkey's telecommunications authority to block websites or remove content accused of privacy violations without a court decision, and force service providers to keep Internet users' data for two years.

Critics say that would expand the government's already tight grip on the Internet. The government rejects accusations of censorship, saying the move aims to protect privacy.

[Enthusiast]

1. That sucks!