What happened in Istanbul on March 8, International Women's Day?
"For 23 years, our Feminist Night March in Taksim has grown in strength, despite facing relentless pressure, bans, and obstacles. This year, on March 8, tens of thousands of women and LGBTI+ individuals united, drawing strength and solidarity from one another to stand against the inequality, discrimination, exploitation, and violence perpetuated by a male-dominated system. Together, we amplified the spirit of our feminist rebellion and solidarity. Since 2003, the Feminist Night March has served as a platform for us to voice our demands and demonstrate our commitment to reclaiming the nights and streets. However, since 2019, the march has faced systematic obstruction. Authorities have violated multiple constitutional rights in an attempt to suppress our demonstration, resulting in police violence and mistreatment of participants. On Friday, March 7, at the end of the workday, the Beyoğlu District Governor’s Office announced an unlawful ban on all protests in the Beyoğlu district for March 8, further restricting our right to assemble. Last year, the Istanbul Regional Court of Appeals overturned a similar ban issued by the governorship and district governor’s office, stating that “it is the duty of the state to facilitate and protect the exercise of the right to peaceful assembly” and that “the choice of venue for meetings and demonstrations should, as a rule, be at the discretion of the organizers.” Despite this ruling, authorities imposed severe limitations again this year, just as they have in the past. On March 8, at 2:00 PM, two of Taksim’s busiest subway stations and the funicular were shut down. Barricades were erected from Taksim Square to Karaköy, and police forces and vehicles filled Istiklal Street and its side streets. Our fundamental right to walk freely through the city was violated. Although we hold the constitutional right to demonstrate and march, we struggled through blocked streets just to reach Taksim. In the face of these obstacles, we still gathered on Sıraselviler Street, resolute in our intention to unite as feminists on March 8, just as we had planned from the start."
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