İstanbul, Türkiye - March 08, 2025 Thousands of women took to the streets of Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district for the annual Feminist Night March, defying a government ban and a heavy police presence. Authorities had blocked access to Taksim Square and surrounding areas with metal barricades, enforcing strict entry and exit controls. Despite this, demonstrators filled Sıraselviler Street, chanting slogans such as "Jin, jiyan, azadi" and "We won’t stay silent, we won’t fear, we won’t obey." Police warned them that their chants were illegal, but protesters defiantly blew whistles in response. As the march progressed, the crowd continued their chants, including "You will never walk alone." The event concluded with a press statement in Arabic, Kurdish, and Turkish, emphasizing the global impact of feminist movements. Organizers declared, "We will not remain silent. We will not stop until we build a free world." The statement condemned government restrictions on women’s rights, media suppression, and gender-based violence. It also highlighted feminist struggles worldwide, mentioning women in Argentina, the Middle East, and the United States who continue to resist oppression. As demonstrators dispersed, police moved in, detaining dozens. Organizers reported that at least 200 protesters were surrounded by security forces, with 112 taken into custody.