Arinc receives representatives of Taksim platform

Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc on Wednesday met with representatives of the Taksim Platform, a solidarity group formed to oppose the planned demolition of Gezi Park in Taksim. During the meeting, the group listed its demands: Gezi Park should remain a park with no construction within, the Ataturk Culture Center should not be demolished, law enforcement officers and bureaucrats who led to rising violence should be investigated and removed from office, use of tear gas and similar materials should be banned, all protesters in custody should be immediately and unconditionally released, it should be announced that none of those protesters will be prosecuted and all de facto obstacles and bans against use of the freedom of assembly in all squares and public zones of Turkey as well as barriers to freedom of expression should be removed. Following the meeting, Chairman of the Chambers of Architects Eyup Mumcu said, "We are in a self sacrifising struggle as sensitive citizens. We will continue the protests in democratic and peaceful ways and these efforts will be shaped in accordance with the steps the government will take." Mumcu also criticized a possible referendum on the Taksim plans, saying "It is out of the question to hold a referendum. The government should take into consideration local concerns when making plans."