Turkish police arrested around 150 people protesting against the repression of the LGBTQIA+ community in the country on Tuesday. The protesters were gathered in front of the Caglayan Courthouse on the European side of Istanbul, and were detained after refusing to leave the location.
The protest chanted slogans such as "Long live the fight for freedom!", "Despite hatred, long live life!" and "Free the prisoners immediately!" The group also carried a banner with the phrase: "Being LGBTQIA+ and organizing is not a crime".
The protester Zeynep told AFP that while so many serious crimes go unpunished, the government is now carrying out operations against LGBTQIA+ activists. According to her, these people did not commit any other crime other than being who they are and defending their rights or the rights of others.



