For residents of Istanbul, the LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Pride Parade is a familiar sight. But attendees at the Turkish city’s 13th annual march were forcibly prevented from celebrating.

Riot police used water cannon and rubber bullets to disperse crowds at the 2015 Gay Pride festival. Media reports suggest the march was stopped before it started when crowds began to denounce Turkey’s Conservative President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Police use teargas and rubber bullets at Istanbul Pride http://t.co/jT5WyrNRUk pic.twitter.com/0rxefvRRhs— PinkNews (@pinknews) June 28, 2015


Police are believed to have arrested at least five parade-goers.

Journalists covering the event say they were assaulted and lightly injured by a group of civilians, who appeared to be nationalists and Islamists. AFP news agency reports the police appeared not to flinch when the alleged attacks took place.

Shot from #Istanbul today #ErdoganLost via @selfmachine pic.twitter.com/Ur8o5nvmMZ— Ir