Police attacked thousands of demonstrators who gathered in 100.Yıl neighborhood in the Turkish capital Ankara and marched to the campus of Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ), protesting against the construction of an 8-lane highway that is planned to cut through the campus and the neighborhood.

Police attacked the protestors as they reached the construction site to prevent the road construction, using rubber bullets as well as intense tear gas and pressure water.

Clashes between demonstrators and police are continuing, having expanded to the entire neighborhood.

The rector of the university, Ahmet Acar, said on Saturday that the ongoing road dispute on campus should be solved through democratic processes and an agreement between all parties.