Istanbul has seen unrest for weeks as tensions between police and protestors have taken a serious toll on the city center, threatening Turkey's economy and civic foundation.
Since the protests began some two weeks ago, police reinforcements have heightened, authorities are disgorging tear gas, pepper spray and water cannons into groups of demonstrators.
And as Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan struggles to maintain peace, he received considerable criticism from other countries that his intentions are not to have peace at all, but to simply drive protesters away from Taksim Square, according to the New York Times.
Erdogan told the media that protestors were being used by special interests groups to intentionally hurt Turkey's economy, according to CBC World News.
"[They] are being used by some financial institutions, the interest rate lobby and media groups to [harm] Turkey's economy and [scare away] investments," he said.
As police clashed with groups in the Square from Tuesday night into Wednesday, MSNBC reported that as of Wednesday morning, there was less violence compared to what was seen in previous days.
This is all part of a continued fight to protect the iconic Gezi Park, which sits in the center of Taksim Square - the place Erdogan and the rest of the government have plans to build a shopping mall.
Others media outlets report the opposition for the current conservative government is the real reason behind the protests, as the Prime Minister and his officials have slowly rolled back the secular rights of the people.
In a report released earlier this month, CNN shed light on a larger issue burdening the Turkish public, seeking the resignation of Erdogan by standing "shoulder to shoulder against fascism."
The protests have called attention to accusations of increasing heavy-handedness in the Turkish government on the people, even pointing to growing limitations on freedom of speech.
Columnist Asli Aydintasbas of the Milliyet Newspaper spoke to CNN stating that Erdogan is generally a good leader but has a fatherly side to the way he rules, and after 10-years in office, the people no longer have then patience.
"We have a prime minister who has done great deeds," she said. "But you have this paternalistic style: 'I know what's good for you. I, as your father, can decide on the park, the bridge, the city and the constitution.' So I think people are just wanting to have a more inclusive form of democracy in Turkey."
