ISTANBUL – Tear gas was used to disperse crowds of a few dozen women by the Turkish police in central Istanbul after Sunday evening’s march in celebration of International Women’s Day.
The crowd, thinned out from a few hundred women, at Taksim Square’s edge waving flags and holding up banners.
The Turkish police created a human blockade to prevent their entry into Istiklal street which is the district’s main pedestrian avenue.
The crowds dispersed as they could not march out into Istiklal Street.
The capital’s governor Ali Yerlikaya decided to shut down Taksim metro station and Sishane station. The Istanbul governor also announced that the roads leading up to the main square would be blocked.
A few activities from non-governmental organisations for Women’s Day celebrations were permitted around the city but no permit was granted to the Istiklal Street gathering.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.