25/06/2023 | Writer: Selma Koçak
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya defended police torture against Trans Pride March by saying “our heroic police”.
Brand new Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya pointed out LGBTI+s as a target by following in the footsteps of his predecessor Soylu.
Defending the police torture at Trans Pride March, which was prevented by İstanbul Governor Davut Gül’s tweet without an official ban order, Yerlikaya said the followings referring Green Left Party İstanbul MP Özgül Saki, who reacted against police violence:
“I fiercely condemn People’s Democratic Party (HDP) MP, who insulted our police that tried to prevent unauthorized demonstration, by saying ‘occupant’.
Our heroic police have fought against ‘occupying mentalities’ and those who disregard ‘the values of our society’ throughout history.
It was ever so, yesterday, today and it will also be like this tomorrow.”
What happened at Trans Pride March?
Although the police blockaded all the ways, 9th Trans Pride March was held on June 18 Transgender Equality Day.
The new İstanbul Governor Davut Gül had targeted the Trans Pride March and the LGBTI+ Pride March days before, by posting a threatening message on Twitter with an emphasis on “family”. Although there was no official ban order from the Governorship, the police closed the Taksim Square and around with barricades. Şişhane and Taksim stations of the M2 Yenikapı -Hacıosman Metro line in the Taksim region, where the march was called for, as well as the F1 Taksim-Kabataş Füniküler Mero line were closed as of 10.00 am “until further notice”.
Police attacked people gathering in Harbiye by showing the unreleased and unofficial ban order on march claiming that it was issued by Şişli District Governorship. The police, who also attacked the press workers taking footage of the attack, tried to disperse lubunyas (queers) that they didn’t attack by threats of violence.
Gathering for 9th Trans Pride March lubunyas, read the press statement and marched against all the odds.
Green Left Party MPs Özgül Saki and Burcugül Çubuk also accompanied participants of Trans Pride Marches.
Police attacked the activists who dispersed after the press statement. 10 transgender were detained by using violence and under torture. The detainees were released at night.
Tags: human rights
