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Tear gas in Turkey

Protesters have used a variety of methods when responding to crowd control techniques.

A protester runs away from tear gas during clashes on the road between Taksim square and Beshiktash stadium.
By Oren Ziv
Published On 4 Jun 2013

Since the beginning of clashes between protesters and police around Taksim square, the Turkish authorities have been using tear gas as one of the primary methods to disperse demonstrators.

Videos uploaded on YouTube and graphic images surfaced on Twitter show the police shooting canisters at the angry protesters. Tear gas can spread in the air across city blocks, sometimes effecting people who not participating in demonstrations. The gas can infilitrate into nearby apartments, shops, and restaurants.

The Turkish government has blamed the protests on its political rivals who lost elections along with “foreign elements”. 

Some activists have gas masks to handle the tear gas, but most protesters employ alternative methods, such as kerchiefs, nylon, and makeshift masks to protect themselves.

A protester covers her face with nylon. Demonstrators are angry with the government after a shopping mall was planned to be developed in Istanbul(***)s last public green space. 
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Some protesters in Taksim square wear gas masks. 
Protesters cover their faces as police fire tear gas. 
Medics evacuate a protester injured from tear gas. Chemicals from tear gas irritate the eyes, nose, mouth and lungs.
A protester attempts to throw back a gas canister. 
A protester wearing a gas mask walks though a cloud of tear gas.
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Medics treat a protester directly hit by a gas canister. Canisters, fired at high speeds, can cause severe injuries.
Protesters have been using social media to spread their message. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said "social media is the worst menace to society.”
Protesters resting near a shop after fleeing from tear gas. 
A protester walks though a cloud of tear gas. 
A protester covers the face of another protester with plastic wrap as a another protective layer from tear gas.
Medics evacuate a protester who fainted from tear gas.