Two women kiss as they hold up a placard that reads in Turkish: "I live free. Who's the fool who will put me in chains? I would be shocked" during the LGBTQ Pride March in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, June 26, 2022. Dozens of people were detained in central Istanbul Sunday after city authorities banned a LGBTQ Pride March, organisers said. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
The Associated Press
ISTANBUL (AP) - Istanbul's LGBTQ Pride organizers say more than 360 people were detained by police Sunday following a ban on all Pride events.
Kaos GL, a leading LGBTQ rights association, said all the detained were being freed Monday after giving their police statement and undergoing health checks. Some were released overnight.
District governors in the two popular Istanbul districts of Beyoglu and Kadikoy outlawed all LGBTQ events last week, saying the ban would to ensure safety, peace and prevent crime. Numerous streets and subway stations were closed off by police Sunday to stop protesters from gathering. Police also pushed and detained journalists.
Amnesty Turkey said the ban was 'œextremely harsh'ť and 'œarbitrary.'ť The rights group's Turkey campaigner, Milena Buyum, tweeted that the detained individuals were 'œdeprived of their liberty simple bc they were exercising their rights'ť to freedom of expression and assembly.
Turkish authorities allowed Pride marches to take place for more than a decade starting in 2003, when Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan served as prime minister. Up to 100,000 people attended Istanbul Pride in 2014.
But in 2015, police dispersed crowds using tear gas and water cannons after a last-minute ban. The march has been banned ever since and top Turkish officials have called LGBTQ people 'œperverts'ť who aim to hurt traditional family values.
People display rainbow flags as Turkish police officers cordon an area off during the LGBTQ Pride March in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, June 26, 2022. Dozens of people were detained in central Istanbul Sunday after city authorities banned a LGBTQ Pride March, organisers said. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
The Associated Press
A woman holds up a rainbow flag as she marches with others during the LGBTQ Pride March in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, June 26, 2022. Dozens of people were detained in central Istanbul Sunday after city authorities banned a LGBTQ Pride March, organisers said. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
The Associated Press
People march during the LGBTQ Pride March in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, June 26, 2022. Dozens of people were detained in central Istanbul Sunday after city authorities banned a LGBTQ Pride March, organisers said. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
The Associated Press
A woman holds up a rainbow flag as she marches with others during the LGBTQ Pride March in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, June 26, 2022. Dozens of people were detained in central Istanbul Sunday after city authorities banned a LGBTQ Pride March, organisers said. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
The Associated Press
A woman waves a rainbow flag as she shouts slogans during the LGBTQ Pride March in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, June 26, 2022. Dozens of people were detained in central Istanbul Sunday after city authorities banned a LGBTQ Pride March, organisers said. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
The Associated Press
People shout slogans next to Turkish police officers during the LGBTQ Pride March in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, June 26, 2022. Dozens of people were detained in central Istanbul Sunday after city authorities banned a LGBTQ Pride March, organisers said. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
The Associated Press