The police attacks 9th Pride Parade at Boğaziçi University

The police attacks 9th Pride Parade at Boğaziçi University

• 20/05/2022
• ÜniKuir

The LGBTI+ community at Boğaziçi University is the target of hate crimes once again: 70 participants were tortured and taken into custody.

Content warning: Police violence

The police attacked the Pride Parade organized today by the Boğaziçi University LGBTIA+ Studies Club (BÜLGBTİA+) which was shut down by the trustee rectorate last year, students were tortured and taken into custody. The attack on the parade, which is taking place for the 9th time, is the most recent example of the systematic violence being exerted against the LGBTI+ community at Boğaziçi for the last 1.5 years. Prior to the Pride Parade, the university administration had announced that no events would be allowed except for the Taşoda Music Festival that would take place on the same day. 

An X-Ray machine was placed at the campus entrance

Yesterday, an X-Ray machine was placed at the Etiler Entrance of the South Campus, using the Taşoda Music Festival as an excuse. Today, starting from early morning, the campus was surrounded by the police and detention vehicles, which has become familiar to Boğaziçi students. The South Campus entrances were closed except for the main entrance. In addition, while each student could bring +2 guests under the usual conditions, it was reduced to +1 for the day.

70 people were taken into custody

A crowd started forming at the South Square half an hour before the Pride Parade which was planned to start at 5:00 PM. Civil police and private security formed a blockade around the crowd. The head of security announced that the parade would not be allowed. 

The students started to walk towards the BÜLGBTİA+ club room, which had been shut down. Before the press briefing could be concluded, the attack by the riot police began. 70 people were taken into custody with rear-handcuffs and torture. The police continued their attack despite the students’ insistence that “We disperse”.

Following the detentions, the South Entrance was closed and students were stranded on the campus. Private security requested back-up from the police to keep students inside. At the same time, blockaded students were being watched with police drones. 

70 detainees were taken to the Istanbul Vatan Police Headquarter after the health checks. All of the detainees were released after their testimonies were taken.

Translation: Öykü / Proofreading: Buse

Photo credit: @budirenis