Weltklimakonferenz: Regenbogen trotz Razzien: Tausende demonstrieren in Türkei

A massive protest of over 10,000 people peacefully marched through Antalya, Turkey during the halfway point of the World Climate Conference. This is the largest such demonstration in Turkey in recent months, according to Nil Ormanli of the German Press Agency (dpa) who chairs the event's organizing committee. Turkish authorities typically do not release participant numbers.

Various Turkish associations, trade unions, and opposition parties participated alongside international organizations, using the rare opportunity to draw attention to domestic issues. Civil society groups frequently face bans on government-critical gatherings, with the July NATO summit in Ankara seeing a widespread ban and dozens arrested.

Turkish Environment Minister and summit president Murat Kurum had previously stressed that peaceful protest was allowed, emphasizing Turkey as one of the most just countries in the world. Police checked bags, banners, and flags at the entrance to the protest route before marching from the Aydin Kanza Park to the Republic Square, located about a kilometer away.

Demonstrator Deniz hid his rainbow flag, having learned that police would confiscate it regardless. He also carried a Palestine flag. "We are here to stand by the oppressed, regardless of whether it's the queers in Turkey or the Palestinians," he said. Several rainbow flags were visible during the demonstration. Turkey is particularly focused on its gay and other LGBTQ+ citizens, who faced nationwide raids in September, including LGBTQ+ associations.

Green Party MP Claudia Roth wore her socks in rainbow colors before the protest, urging Turkish security forces to show restraint and warning against any violence or arrests. "I can only warn you of this," she said. World Climate Conference activist Luisa Neubauer emphasized solidarity with the Turkish civil society fighting passionately, while also facing intense repression.

She chose not to display controversial signs and banners to avoid endangering anyone, focusing instead on a display of mutual discontent. Neubauer warned that after the conference, as international activists and journalists departed, domestic protesters might face consequences. She approached the protest with mixed feelings, having seen several activists temporarily detained for espionage earlier that day.

Turkish opposition groups chanted familiar slogans like "Shoulders to Shoulders against Fascism" and directed at the ruling AKP party: "The day will come when the AKP must account to the people." Halil Dönmez, 61, criticized Turkey as the host of the climate conference, arguing for years against the expansion of coal mining in the country and the resulting environmental destruction.

He found it "tragically funny" that such a government would host such an event. Dressed as an ice bear and accompanied by a group of artists, Danish activist Colette Markus aimed to highlight the consequences of global warming, noting that the ice bears were too hot. The "Free to Pollute" slogan, accompanied by a large overturned Statue of Liberty with the inscription, and a small Trump figure, rolled through Antalya.

The "People's Summit" began simultaneously in the center of Antalya with hundreds of civil society organizations from Turkey and abroad, focusing on topics such as environmental destruction, the exit from fossil fuels, and democracy in the coming days.