Thousands of Kurdish and Turkish women and LGBTI groups in Istanbul defied a government ban to march on the eve of International Women's Day on March 8.
Participants in the IWD 鈥淣ight March鈥 headed to Taksim Square, which had earlier been cordoned off by a huge police presence.
According to the Firat News Agency (ANF) the protest, organised by the Feminist Collective "turned Taksim Square into a purple sea of flags and marched towards Karak枚y under the slogan 鈥楩eminist revolt instead of obedience 鈥 everywhere鈥.
鈥淏etween loud concerts of whistles, the slogans 鈥楾he nights, streets and squares belong to us鈥, 鈥楾he world would shake if women were free鈥, 鈥榃omen, life, freedom鈥, 鈥楴o male justice, but real justice鈥 and 鈥榃e are not silent, we are not afraid, we do not bend鈥 resounded.鈥
Deputies from the People鈥檚 Democratic Party (HDP), including co-chair Pervin Buldan, party spokesperson Ebru G眉nay, Z眉leyha G眉l眉m and Oya Ersoy also participated in the march.
A statement, read out in Kurdish, Turkish and Arabic said: "The feminist revolt is everywhere.
"With our laughter, our anger, our rebellion and our resistance, we are here, at the 19th Feminist Night March. We stand side by side and we are strong, thanks to our feminist solidarity.
"Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the structural violence against women has become even more visible. The patriarchy tries to dominate at every opportunity, whether at home, at work or on the streets.
鈥淔eminism gives us the power to say no, to protect our own lives, bodies and work, and with this power we rebel and fight in all aspects of life. We protect ourselves, our lives and our right to self-determination.
鈥淭he forms of women's rebellion are as diverse as their realities and living spaces. The common goal is an equal life in peace, free from patriarchy, oppression, exploitation, sexual violence, homophobia, transphobia, discrimination, racism and capitalism.
鈥淭he struggle for liberation will continue at all levels of life; at home, at work, in universities, on the streets.鈥
Video:聽Kurdish and Turkish women and LGBTI groups defy government ban on IWD,聽Eylul Deniz Yasar, Medya News.聽.