LGBTI activisits and supporters were prevented from assembling in Istanbul upon a ban imposed by the Governor's Office for “security reasons” yesterday. Police forces blocked the Taksim Square and Istiklal Avenue with water cannon vehicles as of early morning hours today and hindered access for LGBTI activists.

Tensions arose in the face of the LGBTI people's reaction to the obstruction in which Turkish reactionary groups were also involved, threatening the LGBTI members and attempting to lynch them. A young activist was heavily beaten for objecting to the police on the central Miss Street.

LGBTI members therewith started to gather on Miss Street where they were attacked by the police with dogs and rubber bullets, while journalists in the area were also prevented from doing their job and chased by police with dogs.

LGBTI people managed to gather in this street despite all the obstructions and make a statement to the press.

The statement was read by Istanbul LGBTI Solidarity Union activist Ebru Kırancı who said the following: “We are those declaring the revolution of love and gender. We are those ostracized, ignored but those never giving up. We are not alone, nor wrong, and not forsaken at all. Governors, governments and states do change but we remain. We don't care about threats, bans and pressures. We do not give up on our march. We celebrate the 15th year of Istanbul LGBTI and we are proud of it.”

According to the Crisis Desk, at least 23 LGBTI activists have been detained during today's crackdown on the Pride March in Istanbul.