An estimated 70,000 people (described in press reports as merchants and traders) protested and threw rocks in Ankara. The demonstrations were protesting the Turkish governments poor handling of the economic crisis. Troops and riot police had to respond with tear gas. A western reporter said one of the signs read No to poverty and corruption. Pretty sophisticated understanding, there, of one of Turkeys key economic troubles extensive corruption and a legal system unable to cope. Another report said that a demonstration also took place in the Turkish city of Mersin.