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
The scene goes from happy marchers taking selfies, to chaos as police attack Istanbul #Pride@istanbulpride pic.twitter.com/n7mJgUGTJX
— @DCHomos (@DCHomos) June 28, 2015
Twitter reactions were nearly unanimous across the board.
It is gross how people are being attacked for holding a #Pride march in Istanbul. Peaceful march met with riot gear.
— Dylan (8Bit) 🏳️🌈 (@8bitdylan) June 28, 2015
Incredible courage shown by #pride marchers in #Istanbul in the face of water cannon, rubber bullets and attitudes that belong in Dark Ages.
— Tony Parsons (@TonyParsonsUK) June 28, 2015
Istanbul? Who are these "leaders"! Stop attacking innocent happy people who are celebrating this is madness! This is inhumane!
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) June 28, 2015
One day in Istanbul and already I get tear gassed by the police near Taksim sq.
— Unicornado! (@dfubar) June 28, 2015
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)