Pride Week Banned in Antep, Police Say It is a 'Plot of America'

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The Governorship of Antep has banned the Pride Week events in the province. The police prevented the "ZeugMadi" activists from holding a press statement on the Yeşilsu Square.

The group held its statement at the Human Rights Association (İHD) Antep Branch.

"As long as you view our existence as a threat, we continue to say, 'Every walk of us is a Pride March.

"If it is your tradition to declare those who strive for an honorable and just life immoral and terrorists to cover up your "sins," it is our tradition to not stop speaking, not stop and not obey.

"We know that what fuels your aggression is our power. We know from our struggle since the 1980s that you are trying to exploit the beauty of our togetherness."

Gülsevgi, an activist told the kaosGL.org that the police tried to incite people against them while they were trying to make a press statement.

"A couple of days ago, we were prevented from entering Çınarlı Park. For this reason, we put a big rainbow flag in the park. Meanwhile, plain clothes police officers tried to incite people against us, saying, 'This is a plot of America, this is a faggot flag. Do you allow this?'

"Then suddenly a homophobic group came and perpetrated physical violence against two of our friends."

LGBTI+ Pride Week events were previously banned in İzmir, Antalya and Mersin. In İstanbul, the Pride Parade. (EMK/VK)