Activists behind last summer’s anti-government demonstrations in Turkey are planning to defy a government ban on protests. A rally on Saturday May 31 is planned to mark the first anniversary of the unrest.<br /><br />What began last year as a peaceful demonstration to redevelop Gazi Park, spiralled into nationwide protests against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a heavy-handed police crackdown.<br /><br />Today 25,000 security officials have been deployed from eleven cities to Istanbul. Fifty armoured vehicles equipped with water cannon are ready to prevent protesters getting to Gezi Park.<br /><br />Erdogan, whose popularity appears undamaged despite a raft of scandals, has urged people not to take part in the demonstration.
