Turkish police block streets, attack and detain women, chase away press

Turkish police block streets, attack and detain women, chase away press
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The police used tear gas to disperse women who have gathered to hold a demonstration on the international day against violence targeting women.

To prevent women from holding a feminist demonstration on the international day against violence targeting women, the Turkish police blocked roads and streets at the center of Istanbul on Friday, closed underground train stations around Taksim square, forcibly drove reporters and bystanders out of the area, and attacked demonstrating women with tear gas.

The encircled group of women responded by chanting "Here!" after each name of the femicide victim read out loud, following which a public statement was read out, and the women gathered behind a banner that read, "Stop men's violence, not women."

+Gercek's Yagmur Kaya reported that many women have been detained by the police violently, and people started shouting, "Women are being subjected to violence on 25 November," as demonstrators were dragged away.

+Gercek said as of late evening that at least 100 women have been taken into custody.

The women's gathering on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was earlier banned by the governor of the district, who cited public security concern in a written statement.

25 November was designated by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and the objective is to raise global awareness that women across the world are subjected to rape, domestic violence and other forms of violence.