ISTANBUL: Police fired tear gas at thousands of women who took to the city’s central avenue on International Women’s Day on Friday in defiance of a protest ban to demand greater rights and denounce violence.
Security forces in riot gear pushed the crowds of women — some wearing colourful wigs and masks — at the entrance to the city’s main pedestrianised shopping street of Istiklal Avenue, an AFP correspondent reported.
Security forces in riot gear pushed the crowds of women — some wearing colourful wigs and masks — at the entrance to the city’s main pedestrianised shopping street of Istiklal Avenue, an AFP correspondent reported.
Police then used tear gas on the marchers and then menaced them with dogs with dogs. Many protesters fled to the side streets.
The event took place peacefully last year but just before this year’s march, authorities issued a statement banning any demonstration on the city’s central avenue.
The area was flooded with police who set up cordons around the central Taksim Square and many local shops were closed.
One woman, called Ulker, speaking to AFP from behind the cordon, said: “Take a look at this.
“Here is the bitter truth: There is a system, there is a state that is scared of us. I condemn this.”
