ISTANBUL (AP) — Pop singer Lady Gaga and a European rights official are condemning the attacks on Istanbul’s gay pride rally June 28 after security forces doused demonstrators with water cannons and tear gas.
Gay rights protesters dispersed June 28 after gathering at the city’s Taksim Square, an unusual flare-up as previous rallies had taken place without interference.
Organizers say the Turkish government only barred them from Taksim at the last minute, saying they could not gather there during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The Istanbul Governor’s office says no permission was sought for the rally and security forces acted proportionally.
A message posted to Lady Gaga’s Twitter account urged Turkish authorities to “celebrate both Ramadan and Pride in PEACE.”
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muiznieks, also condemned the violence.
