Taksim Gezi Park protests continue

Istanbul (AA) - Taksim Gezi Park protests continue despite police intervention on Saturday.

Crowds came together from the Eorupoean and Asian sides early in the morning on Saturday to reach Istanbul's Taksim Square.

Demonstrators who wanted to cross the Bosphorous Bridge to the European side were blocked by the police using tear gas and water cannon.

Demonstrators still contine shouting slogans despite police interveniton.

Major connections leading to Taksim as well as Istiklal Avenue were blocked by the police as protestors gathered in front of the Consulate General of France to walk from Istilkal Avenue to Taksim Square.

Protestors set up barricades to prevent the police crackdown. Citizens were also badly affected by the heavy use of tear gas to disperse the crowds.

The number of protesters detained has reached 138 and 14 people  were admitted to hospitals.

Protests are continuing in the Turkish captial, Ankara and other provinces as well.

Meanwhile, groups from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) began gathering in Besiktas and Taksim districts after their  "Freedom and Democracy Rally" that was to be held in the Asian center of Istanbul on Saturday was cancelled. CHP supporters then began to proceed to Besiktas in ships after CHP management decided to extend support to the protesters at Taksim Gezi Park. 

The protests began on Friday as a sit-in over the redevelopment plans of Taksim Gezi Park but escalated after police intervention and detention of protestors.