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Police break up anti-IMF protest in Istanbul

Tuesday, October 06, 2009 ISTANBUL: Turkish police used water cannons, tear gas and pepper spray on Tuesday to disperse hundreds of demonstrators, protesting against the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) held in Istanbul.Some masked protesters shattered the windows of a McDonald's restaurant and banks and damaged vehicles as they ran into the streets behind Istanbul's Taksim Square, which is less than a kilometer (half a mile) from the venue of the IMF and World Bank meeting.Thousands of police wearing gas masks and protective gear erected barriers around the venue and detained dozens of protesters — mostly members of small leftist parties or labor unions. Media said some foreign protesters were also involved. Police helicopters hovered above the crowds.Clouds of tear gas filled the air above Taksim Square while firefighters battled a blaze apparently set by protesters. Passers-by and reporters were also affected by the tear gas.Several shop owners shuttered their shops along the famous tourist route of Istiklal Street, which was deserted in a matter of minutes as patrons hid inside the shops or bazaars.Last week, a student journalist hurled a shoe at IMF Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn as the finance official answered questions at a university in Istanbul. The shoe missed its target.
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