Thousands of pro-secular demonstrators gather in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Monday to mark Republic Day.<br/> <br />But this year, the Turkish government declared the rally illegal, citing security concerns.<br/> <br />Clashes broke out as police blocked the road, with the crowd attempting to continue their march to the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the highly revered founder of modern Turkey.<br/> <br />Police retaliated with tear gas and water cannon to disperse the large crowds.<br/> <br />But after the scuffles, police allowed the crowd to carry on with their march to Ataturk's mausoleum.<br/> <br />Republic Day marches are usually opposition-led and tend to be anti-government gatherings.<br/> <br />The ruling AK Party in Turkey has moderate Islamic roots but is accused by some secularists of following a religious agenda.
