ISTANBUL
Istanbul Governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu today called on the mothers of the Gezi Park protesters to “bring their children home.” However, instead of following the governor’s 
order, many mothers joined their children at the demonstration, marking the latest instance of protesters turning the authorities’ statements on their head.
Dozens of mothers held hands and formed a large human chain to show their support to the protests, which have entered their 17th day, by standing guard around the park.
Earlier, Mutlu had said that no police intervention was foreseen in the next 24 hours, despite reports that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had instructed otherwise. Mutlu also gave his own cell phone number during a broadcast by the private NTV channel, calling on the young people at Gezi Park not to hesitate giving him a ring. He also said that he intended to visit the park soon.