Turkish Police Used Tear Gas And Water Cannons To Disperse Istanbul Pride Parade

https://twitter.com/WJ_Armstrong/status/615157291088785408/photo/1

Today’s gay pride parade in central Istanbul went from a peaceful march to complete and utter chaos. Police confronted the demonstrating crowd with tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons. The reason for the attack is unclear, although police reportedly warned the crowd to disperse from Taksim Square before the event began.

Homosexuality is not a crime in Turkey, and the pride event has been held in Istanbul for years. However, this year’s event overlaps with the holy month of Ramadan.

Eyewitness photos and video clips from the scene show the chaos unfold.

https://twitter.com/fundaeryigit/status/615155416100700160/video/1

https://twitter.com/WJ_Armstrong/status/615167061745094656/photo/1

https://twitter.com/LouizIstanbul/status/615198606891581440

Twitter reactions were nearly unanimous across the board.

Here’s amateur video footage of some of the Taksim marchers taking their cause elsewhere.

https://twitter.com/BenjaminHarvey/status/615179082075086848/video/1

The remaining marchers continued the party in Cihangir.

https://twitter.com/bradleysecker/status/615180703160995840/photo/1

(via Mashable & Huffington Post)