The Gezi Park Protests began in May 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey, primarily as a response to plans to demolish Gezi Park for a shopping mall. Initially, the protests aimed to protect the park's green space, but they quickly evolved into a broader movement against the government led by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and its policies. The protests attracted a diverse group of participants, including environmentalists, students, and activists, who expressed their discontent with issues such as urban development, freedom of expression, and government authoritarianism. The demonstrations drew international attention and highlighted the growing tensions between the government and various segments of Turkish society.