Seven detained during Trans Pride protest in Istanbul's Taksim

Istanbul police detained seven people on July 2 when a group of transgender rights activists attempted to march to the city's famous Taksim Square carrying rainbow flags, despite an official ban on the event. 

The rights group Istanbul LGBTI, host of the 8th Trans Pride March, had said on social media it would not recognize the governor's ban. Activists gathered in Harbiye district and issued a live statement on Facebook saying: "We are trans, we are here, get used to it, we are not leaving."

The organization tweeted "all roads lead to Taksim," using the hashtag "GameOfTrans," but police prevented them from reaching Taksim Square. A water cannon sent to the area was not used on the activists.

The Istanbul Governor's Office banned the march late on July 1 for the second year in a row. It said "marginal groups" on social media had called for the march and it was being banned to preserve public order and to keep participants and tourists safe.

"Very serious reactions have been raised by different segments of society," it also said, in reference to threats by conservative and ultranationalist groups made against trans and LGBT marches.

Istanbul police announced on July 2 they would close multiple roads to traffic at noon as part of its security measures. Large numbers of plainclothes and riot police officers were stationed around Taksim.

The U.S. Consulate in Istanbul issued a security message on June 30 informing its citizens of possible "heavy police presence and counter demonstrations" and asking them to exercise caution. The message also said participation in illegal gatherings could lead to detention or arrest under a state of emergency imposed after last summer's failed coup attempt.

Turkey does not...