Lady Gaga calls for peace in Istanbul after gay rights rally violence
Lady Gaga has taken aim at officials in Turkey after gay rights activists were banned from entering Istanbul's Taksim Square and pelted with water and tear gas during a Pride rally on Sunday (28Jun15).
The protesters had been given permission to march through the square, which is on their normal rally route, but they were forced to disperse when government officials closed off the area at the last minute.
Sources claim the activists were told they could not gather there
during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, but officials at the
Istanbul Governor's office insist they were not asked for
permission to use Taksim Square, and the security forces acted
proportionally.
Gay icon and rights advocate Gaga took to her Twitter account on
Sunday (28Jun15) and urged the Turkish authorities to "celebrate
both Ramadan and Pride in PEACE", and later added, "Istanbul? Who
are these 'leaders'! Stop attacking innocent happy people who are
celebrating this is madness! This is inhumane!
"Governor! Set an example for people to celebrate both Ramadan and
Pride in PEACE, instead of dividing with violence!"
The Poker Face hitmaker also posted a photo of the activists
peacefully marching through the streets before trouble started.