Turkish police detained 113 people including protesters, activists and journalists at Istanbul’s 21st Pride Parade on Sunday, which was banned like many other LGBT Pride month events across the country.
“After the elections, we saw that we were the first target in the balcony speech [President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s victory speech]. We do not accept this policy of hatred and denial. But here we are today. You couldn’t deal with us, you will not,” a joint press release of LGBT groups and organisers of the Pride Parade wrote.
After his election victory in May, President Erdogan attacked LGBT groups and accused the opposition of being pro-LGBT, pledging a new constitution that will uphold “family values”.
This year Istanbul’s Pride Parade, organised in the city’s Sisli district, aimed to reach the city’s iconic Taksim Square. Several buildings on the route were also decorated with rainbow flags.
However, as the event was banned by Istanbul’s Governor, police blocked the streets and did not allow them to march.
As a result of the police intervention, 113 people were detained and taken to the Police Directorate.
Police also prevented journalists from covering the parade by encircling them near the parade route and one journalist was also detained.
A similar ban also imposed on Izmir’s Pride Parade. According to local media reports, dozens were detained in Turkey’s third largest city on the Aegean coast.
But LGBT groups announced that LGBT Pride month events will continue until the end of this month– in spite of bans, threats and pressure from state and security officials.
