Istanbul’s governor opened Gezi Park for the first time since police ousted protesters in part of nationwide anti-government demonstration; but he closed it again as protest leaders called for government opponents to return to the park.

Police spent another day firing tear gas and water cannons at the protesters, thousands of whom form a core group who are not backing down after a government crackdown.  The aftermath has left a terrible mess in Istanbul.

Istanbul governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu had said that opening the park would not mean tolerating “forums, occupations or marches”, activities that many countries associate with free speech.

The opposition coalition of political parties and non-governmental organizations subsequently called for a public meeting in the park.  Authorities closed Gezi Park just three hours after taking a bow for reopening it.