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Turkish police have stopped LGBTI rights activists from gathering in large numbers for Pride march in Istanbul, but smaller groups made impromptu press statements defying a ban imposed by the Governor.
- Protestors defied a ban set the day before the march by the governor
- Police used tear gas and plastic bullets to disperse crowds
- Third year in a row Istanbul Pride march has been banned
Organisers of the 2017 Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride had vowed to march in central Taksim Square, using a Turkish hashtag for "we march," despite the ban on gay pride observances ordered by the Istanbul Governor's office for the third year in a row.
Police established checkpoints in the area, preventing groups from entering Istiklal Avenue and turning back individuals who were deemed to be associated with the planned march.
Small groups assembled on side streets were chased away by officers.
At least 100 protesters gathered in a nearby neighbourhood, beating drums and chanting slogans such as, "Don't be quiet, shout out, gays exist!" and "Love, love, freedom, state stay away!"
They carried a banner that read, "Get used to, we are here".
Police used tear gas to disperse the crowds and activists said plastic bullets were also used.
Riot-control vehicles and buses were dispatched to the area and police detained several people, but did not immediately say how many.
In banning the event, the Governor's office on Saturday cited safety and public order.
It also said a valid parade application had not been obtained for Sunday's event, a claim rejected by organisers.
The Governor's ban referred to "serious reactions by different segments of society" as several nationalist and religious groups called for the march's cancellation.
But Pride organisers said in a statement on Sunday that the threats themselves should be dealt with rather than limiting demonstrations.
"Our security will be provided by recognising us in the constitution, by securing justice, by equality and freedom," the statement said.
LGBT activists have lobbied unsuccessfully to have sexual orientation and gender identity covered by Turkish laws protecting civil rights and prohibiting hate speech.
Homosexuality has been legal in Turkey since the republic's founding more than nine decades ago.
Pride organisers say they think the celebrations have been banned since 2014 because they coincided with the holy month of Ramadan and a rise in conservatism.
Sunday's scheduled march was on the first day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, marking the end of a month of fasting.
AP
Topics: gays-and-lesbians, community-and-multicultural-festivals, world-politics, police, turkey, european-union
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