ISTANBUL (AP) — Police in Istanbul used tear gas and detained activists who gathered Sunday to issue a statement to mark gay pride week after authorities banned their rally in the city. At least 19 activists were rounded up, organizers said.
Dozens of activists assembled on Istanbul's main pedestrian street to publicly read a statement marking the end of the gay, lesbian and transgender pride week and to denounce the ban. Several of them were detained however, before they could speak.
Attempted #IstanbulPride marchers/protesters being bundled into a police van just now. pic.twitter.com/c1T5XsFErU
— John Beck (@JM_Beck) June 26, 2016
Two European legislators were briefly detained Sunday, activists said. They included prominent Green Party lawmaker Volker Beck — an outspoken activist for gay rights — who was detained when he wanted to speak at the event in Istanbul.
German Grüne MP @Volker_Beck briefly arrested by #Turkey police pic.twitter.com/lCdzbvWOWJ /via @oliverreporter #Germany
— Yannis Koutsomitis (@YanniKouts) June 26, 2016
The German news agency dpa quoted Beck as saying: "The police tore away my passport and pushed me around."
I was released. @max_lucks and @fbanaszak are still detained. We are fighting for their release. #IstanbulPride
— Terry Reintke (@TerryReintke) June 26, 2016
15 people from the #IstanbulPride have been detained as well. Turkish #LGBT activists. Because of a press statement. Make noise for them!
— Terry Reintke (@TerryReintke)June 26, 2016
Turkish police later used tear gas and rubber pellets to chase activists from side streets.
Istanbul's governor banned both last week's Trans Pride March and Sunday's broader LGBT pride parade, citing security concerns in the city, which has been hit by deadly attacks by Islamic State militants or Kurdish rebels.
Turkish Islamist and ultra-nationalist groups had also threatened counter-demonstrations to stop the gay rights rallies.
They can't even stand the rainbow. #istanbulpride pic.twitter.com/nMYx4upFvJ
— Capulcu Tonella (@diehimbeertonis) June 26, 2016
Activists believe authorities are using security as an excuse to ban the gay parades. They say the government they should be taking measures to deal with the threats instead.
Last week, Turkish police also used tear gas and rubber bullets to break up demonstrators who gathered for the transgender parade in defiance of the ban.
