The Police Did Not Let The Women March Either

The police did not allow the march of the women on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

About three hundred women shouted the slogan “Barricades for murderers, not for women” in front of the police barricade.

The November 25 Women’s Platform’s exhibition to protest the violence against women, which was held in front of the Galatasaray High School at Taksim, Istanbul  at noon time yesterday, was dispersed by the police resorting violence.

“The women defy the police at Taksim”

The women were at the Streetcar Station at 19:30 to march to the Galatasaray High School, only to be stopped by the police.

Platform's spokespeople said that they had reported the march and they had been replied positively.

The Police told the women that they could hold the press release, but would not be permitted to march.

According to the laws, marching does not require any permission.

The women protested the police with whistles, slogans and songs until 21:30.

“No reply from the Ministry of Interior”

Lawyer Meriç Eyüboğlu said that although the women were harassed in Taksim square at the New Year celebrations, they were not allowed to use their constitutional and democratic right to hold press release and march in the same place.

Sabahat Tuncel, Istanbul deputy for the Democratic Society Party, said she could pass through the barricade since she had immunity as a deputy, but decided to stay as they were “one for all, all for one.” She said the Minister of Interior did not take their calls.

The women ended their activity around 21:30, agreeing to celebrate the March 8 Women’s Day at Taksim. (EZÖ/TB)