Police Intervene in Pride Parade

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Police haven't allowed the rights defenders and those carrying rainbow flag rallying in Beyoğlu for 15th İstanbul LGBTI+ Pride Parade to march, have detained some.

The police were waiting on all streets leading to the İstiklal Street.

Two LGBTI activists trying to enter the İstiklal Street were detained in the afternoon hours.

As of 7 p.m., police continue taking people into custody on the side-streets. Entrances to the İstiklal Street from the side-streets are blocked.

AP cameraperson was detained as well

The Associated Press (AP) cameraperson Bram Jansses was detained on the ground that he didn't have his passport with him.

What happened?

First İstanbul Pride Parade was held in 2003, which is 10 years after when the Pride Week started to be organized. The first parade held with 20-30 people has grown in time. In 2013, as many as 100,000 people joined the march on İstiklal Street.

In 2015 and 2016, the Pride Parades met with police interventions. However, being persistent, the LGBTI+ movement "dispersed" to first whole İstiklal Street and then to various places in İstanbul. 

The İstanbul Governorship had announced that the pride wouldn't be allowed, claiming that no lawful application was made.

Stating that they submitted a lawful application, the Pride Week Committee reiterated their call at 5 p.m. in front of French Culture Center in Beyoğlu in İstanbul for the march. (ÇT/AS/TK)