Istanbul police break up LGBT rally held in spite of ban
Turkish riot police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to break up a rally staged by the LGBT community in Istanbul on Sunday in defiance of a ban.
Several hundred police surrounded the main Taksim Square - where all demonstrations have been banned since 2013 - to prevent the Trans Pride event taking place during Ramadan.
It was the latest crackdown by police in Turkey against an event during the Muslim holy month.
As the police swooped in on the rally of about 150 people, the crowd fled into nearby streets, but Turkish media reported that at least two people were detained.
The Trans Pride rally was to kick off LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) week in Turkey.
But the Istanbul authorities said on Friday they had banned the annual gay pride parade set for June 26 to "safeguard security and public order".
"We want to march for humanity but the police ban everything," LGBT community member Ebru told AFP.
Earlier on Sunday, 11 anti-gay protesters demonstrating near Taksim Square were arrested, according to the Dogan news agency.
"We are Ottomans," shouted one, according to video of the incident. "We don't want any of those people here."
A group of ultra-nationalists asked the authorities last week to cancel the gay pride parade, threatening that it would make sure it did not take place if police did not heed their call.
The annual Istanbul parade has taken place for the last 12 years without incident, with thousands of people taking part, to become the most important LGBT gathering in a Muslim country in the region.
On Saturday, police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon on people protesting after a group of men attacked fans of British rock group Radiohead for attending an album launch during Ramadan.
A group of about 20 men beat up customers and staff at the Velvet IndieGround music store on Friday night, angry that they were drinking alcohol at the event.
On Saturday, about 500 protesters took to the streets in Istanbul shouting: "Shoulder to shoulder against fascism!" and denouncing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a "thief" and a "killer".
Turkish authorities have regularly cracked down on anti-government demonstrations since mass protests swept the country in 2013, using tear gas and water cannon against even small gatherings.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
