Women gather in Istanbul despite ban: We do not obey

Women gathered in Istanbul despite the ban. The women protested violence against women under police blockade. Police prevented women from marching and forcibly detained some women.

Istanbul - The Beyoğlu District Governorate announced that the night march to be held by November 25 Platform on the grounds that “It may cause public unrest, threaten internal peace and disrupt public order”. Despite the ban, women gathered at the Taksim Tunel and held their night march in Istanbul to protest violence against women.

After the announcement of the ban, police closed all streets and alleys leading to Taksim. Women, who were determined to hold the march, tried to come together many times; however, police prevented them. A group of women managed to gather near the Sofyalı Street and unfurled a banner while chanting slogans. When they tried to go to Tunel Square, police blocked them. Despite all the obstacles, the women resisted and journalists were not allowed to cover the protest by police.

Many people and shopkeepers clapped hands to support women. Police attacked the women and forcibly detained many women.