Turkish police turn water cannons on LGBT Pride marchers in Istanbul

Just to illustrate the last article, we’re now learning that LGBT Pride marchers in Istanbul are under attack by their own police who are using water cannons, teargas and rubber bullets on marchers.

We’re seeing on Twitter that the Turkish police are trying to take down rainbow flag waving gays. Now that’s courage.

Just watch this video…

While we are celebrating marriage equality in the USA, just remember that other places aren't as lucky #IstanbulPride pic.twitter.com/b3qzerbvhZ

— Brian Gay (@brian2596) June 28, 2015

or this one…

Hayaldi gerçek oldu! #istanbulpride #OnurYürüyüşü ne saldırı.. pic.twitter.com/oNn1JqECSf

— Abidin Aslanbay (@abidinas) June 28, 2015

#OnurYürüyüşü / #IstanbulPride pic.twitter.com/0uq5UzDUgf | via @CBSNews

— Ismail Küpeli (@ismail_kupeli) June 28, 2015

Istanbul Police Use Tear Gas And Water Cannon On LGBT Pride Marchershttp://t.co/adeR8tUazq pic.twitter.com/109ku8Nn0Y

— David Mack (@davidmackau) June 28, 2015

https://twitter.com/Tluigi15/status/615209023453941762

Homophobic Turkish police use water cannon tear gas to disperse crowds at Istanbul Gay Pride http://t.co/fbi070ceYw #NYCPride #istanbulpride

— Vegateist (@FreeTurkiye1) June 28, 2015

If you go on Twitter and look at the photos tagged for #IstanbulPride there’s quite a mix between people having fun and others being attacked by the police. We’re hearing the police have now backed off, but what’s provoked this unprovoked attacked on a peaceful gathering. Could it be the banners some carried that criticised Turkey’s authoritarian government (one known to shut down twitter)? Seems okay to march, but don’t be disrespectful of a government trying to oppress your freedom of speech.