Despite the forbidden and heavy police presence, LGTBI groups staged a Pride parade in Istanbul this Sundaywhere more than 40 activists were detained.

Authorities in Istanbul and several other Turkish provinces have banned all LGTBI events scheduled for Pride Week, including marches.

Access to traditional venues for LGTBI parades in Istanbul, such as Istiklal Street and Taksim Square, they were closed off by the police and nearby subway stops were closed.

LGTBI groups announced they would meet at 3 p.m. local time, but did not reveal the location until the last minute. Finally, they gathered in a park in the Nisantasi district where they unfurled a giant rainbow flag.

Activists in the park chanted slogans like “You will get used to us!”, “Run, Tayyip (Turkish President Erdogan), run. The homosexuals are coming!”.

Police arrived on the scene and declared the demonstration illegal, while organizers report that more than 40 people have been arrested.

ANDThe Pride Parade has been banned by Istanbul Governorate for the past 4 yearswhich coincided with a hardening of discourse against the LGTBI minority by the Islamist government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.