Pride Month: Police detain students ahead of planned picnic in İzmir

Photo: Direniş Renkleri/Twitter

Click to read the article in Turkish

Students at 9 Eylül University in İzmir, western Turkey, were met with a heavy police presence as they gathered for a picnic organized by the Direniş Renkleri (Resistance Colors) group. According to reports, police closely monitored the students as they entered the campus, with patrol cars tailing the bus carrying the students.

Trouble ensued when the students disembarked from the bus, as they were swiftly and forcibly detained by the police. Stating that five of their peers had been taken into custody, Direniş Renkleri condemned the arbitrary bans on their picnics and declared, "You will not intimidate us!"

Despite the police's efforts to prevent the gathering, the students found an alternative location and carried out the event. Prior to commencing the activity, they expressed their unwavering determination to resist the police's arbitrary actions.

"Yesterday, our friends from İzmir Democracy University were obstructed, and today, as 9 Eylül University students, we wanted to hold the picnic once again. However, we were once again met with attempts to prevent us. Regardless of the obstacles, we carried out our picnic, and you cannot stop us. We were here, we are here, and we will continue to exist!"

The incident occurred against the backdrop of an increasing crackdown on LGBTI+ individuals in Turkey. Pride events held across the country have frequently faced bans and restrictions, highlighting the growing pressure faced by the community.

İzmir
Tüm gözaltılara, müdahalelere, takip edilmelere rağmen pikniğimizi gerçekleştirdik!

Dokuz Eylül Onur Pikniğimizi gözaltılarla, baskılarla engellemeye çalışanlara karşı irademizle karşılık verdik. Her yerde, her zaman; vardık, varız, var olacağız!#DeuOnurPikniği pic.twitter.com/axex6MMbbI

— Direnişin Renkleri (@DirenisinR) June 14, 2023

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