One Instagram user, Hindasari, described how numerous police arrived and stood watching the event before unleashing the tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Any request for rights is met like this.'
'This summarises what has been happening in Turkey. They just ask for a legal recognition,' said one supporter, who gave his name as Bulent. 'These people do not hurl stones and they never would. The parade has been held in the past and has been described as the biggest gay pride event in the Muslim world. Reuters news agency has reported organisers of the parade had been refused permission to march this year because it coincided with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.ĭespite being refused permission to march, hundreds still gathered in Taksim Square, donned in colourful clothing and waving rainbow flags. Some of the videos show gay pride supporters being knocked off their feet from the force of the water, while others show marchers frantically trying to run away. Footage uploaded to social media shows Turkish police using tear gas and water cannons against a crowd gathering to march in an annual gay pride parade in Istanbul's Taksim Square on Sunday.
