Turkey: Istanbul Pride draws hundreds despite being banned for fifth straight year

Subscribe to our channel! Hundreds of LGBT rights activists gathered in central Istanbul on Sunday, defying a ban from Turkish authorities. Participants in the rally gathered on a side street of commercial Istiklal Avenue, after the event was banned from the main street. People were seen cheering and waving rainbow flags, ahead of marching in a colourful parade. The event was later interrupted by police forces who dispersed the crowds, and, according to reports, used tear gas and water cannons against participants. Despite Istanbul’s governor office issued a ban on the event for the fifth year in a row, the newly-elected mayor Ekrem Imamoglu said on Friday that any group should be free to demonstrate as long as the protest remained peaceful. Video ID: 20190630-050 Video on Demand: Contact: cd@ Twitter: Facebook: