Organizers say at least 93 people were arrested during this year’s Pride parade in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul. Before the demonstration started on Sunday, the police cordoned off large parts of the center to prevent the gathering. The participants waved a meter-long rainbow flag from a building and read a press release. Several hundred people attended the event.
In the western Turkish city of Izmir, police also cracked down on participants in the local Pride parade and arrested at least 48 people, according to organizers.
Attempts to prevent Pride demos for years
In Turkey, government officials and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have repeatedly expressed open hostility towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people. Efforts have been made for years to prevent the annual demonstration.
The governor of Istanbul province, Davut Gül, had already announced in advance that he would not allow events that “threaten the family”. Several events related to the so-called Pride month to make LGBTQ people visible, including a picnic and a movie screening, were banned.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
