PodcastTurkish police detain 169 women during feminist march in Istanbul
In Istanbul, Turkish police intervened against women attempting to march on Istiklal Avenue, detaining 169 protestors gathered for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Journalists recording the arrests were also assaulted by police officers.
After a day long blockade in Istanbul's historic Beyoğlu district and the government's protest ban, Turkish police has detained 169 protestors who gathered to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25.
Photos by Dilara Senkaya and Umit Bektas from Reuters and Osman Çaklı from Gazete Duvar.
Turkish police has barred the entrance to the İstiklal Avenue and filled Istanbul's hot spot with water cannons and police vehicles.
Despite the heavy police blockade, hundreds of protesters gathered in Tünel Square, at one end of Istiklal Avenue.
Women who attempted to march towards İstiklal Avenue were surrounded by the police. The police warned that they would detain the group if they did not disperse and encircled them. As the women chanted, "We will not be silent, we are not afraid, we will not obey," police intervened, leading to the detention of several protesters, some of whom were forcefully apprehended.