Turkey's Trade Unions Join Nationwide Anti-Govt Protests

The trade union of civil servants in Turkey has announced it is starting a strike in support of the protest wave that has gripped the country since last week.

The strike has already started Tuesday with not many people joining, but the trade union announced that a massive strike is expected Wednesday.

Professional unions, such as those of doctors, lawyers and architects have already expressed support with the protest movement, in some cases helping injured or arrested protesters.

What began as a sit-in to protect Istanbul's Gezi park from development plans swiftly turned into a wider rally against the government of Turkey's long-term PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Many protesters believe that Erdogan's ambitions and policies will lead to the ultimate destruction of the secular and democratic character of the Turkish Republic.

People were shocked at the initial use of heavy handed police force to disperse the Occupy Gezi rally, but police brutality has not ceased since.

The heavy use of tear gas, pepper spray, water cannons, bats and armored vehicles has led to a number of deaths and thousands injured.

Official reports of the number of casualties are believed to be downplaying them.

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