the first time Wednesday, Turkish trade unionists joined the unprecedented protests against Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan over what they see as his authoritarian rule.

Members of more than a dozen unions chanting "Tayyip resign" marched down a major avenue towards Taksim Square. There were similar protests against Erdogan, prime minister for over 10 years and winner of three elections, in Kizilay Park in the capital Ankara.





(Photo: AFP)

A group of activists calling themselves "Solidarity Taksim" held a press conference Wednesday, announcing they had passed on their demands to Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc during a meeting held with him.

The activist group denounced Erdogan's "vexing" style and urged the government to halt Taksim Square redevelopment plans, ban the use of tear gas by police, the immediate release of all detained protestersand the lifting of restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly.

It also demanded that officials – including governors and senior police officials – responsible for the violent crackdown on the protests be removed from office.

Additionally, hackers calling themselves "Anonymous Turkey" said they had attacked government systems and obtained confidential details of staff in Erdogan's office.

A source in the prime minister's office confirmed staff email accounts had come under a phishing attack but said those affected had been cut off from the network.

Enduring settlement

In the meantime, in Taksim, thousands remained at a makeshift camp that is taking on the look of a more enduring settlement.

Small tents have appeared, food and face masks against tear gas are on sale and a library is in the making. On a street off