Police ‘brutally attack’ Istanbul Pride march

with tear gas, rubber bullets

Turkish police “brutally attacked” a banned Istanbul Pride parade with tear gas and rubber bullets, arresting at least 20 people.

Istanbul Pride has been banned by authorities for seven consecutive years. Each year, apart from in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, protesters have gathered in solidarity anyway, despite the ever-present threat of police violence.

On Saturday (26 June), hundreds of LGBT+ people marched through the Istanbul’s historical Beyoglu district, chanting “rainbow is not a crime — discrimination is”, according to The Washington Post.

But videos and photos shared to social media showed police in riot gear descending on the peaceful march, using rubber bullets and tear gas on Pride-goers and violently detaining participants. Local media has reported that at least 20 people were arrested.

Activists have condemned the police response, which appears to grow more violent each year.

Civil Rights Defenders Europe shared a video of the “appalling scenes” on Twitter, and wrote: “Despite last-minute banning of Istanbul Pride, police brutally attack peaceful LGBT+ activists.”

Ahead of the march, Istanbul Pride wrote on Facebook: “We, as LGBT+ [people], women, workers, Kurds and students, are determined to stand together against all the attacks directed against us by the state.