Protestors in Ankara go through with ‘kissing action’ despite police mobilization

ANKARA

Many protesters carried out their demonstration without being intimidated by the police or the organizers of a counter-campaign. DAILY NEWS photo, Selahattin SÖNMEZ

Ankara locals managed to take their mass kissing demonstrations to the city’s Kurtuluş subway station as planned despite heavy security measures and opposing groups that tried to intervene at the site. 

The protest had been scheduled late last week in response to a public announcement made at the station that called on passengers to behave within moral codes, causing a strong public reaction and prompting the unusual protest. 

People were invited to gather at the Kurtuluş station and kiss in public, and around 200 protesters arrived on May 25 to join in. 

The group however faced strong police mobilization as officers tried to block the gates of the station to prevent protesters from going in. The couples kissed outside the station for some time but eventually several of them managed to pass the police wall and take their protest to the scheduled location. 

A conservative group appeared at the protest and tried to break apart the demonstration, chanting religious slogans. Police forces had to intervene to prevent further clashes. 

Several demonstrators were attacked by opposing group members as they headed home following the protests, according to Doğan News Agency. 

A public announcement was made last week in the city’s Kurtuluş subway station that called on passengers to “behave in accordance with moral codes.” The call targeted young couples, who were “acting inappropriately,” according to subway officials.