Activists Clash With Riot Police at Transgender Event in Istanbul

The clashes come on the heels of protests over a

ByABC News
June 19, 2016, 4:36 PM
People hold signs reading 'Justice for Orlando' during a rally staged by the LGBT community on Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul on June 19, 2016.
People hold signs reading 'Justice for Orlando' during a rally staged by the LGBT community on Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul on June 19, 2016.
OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images

— -- Activists clashed with riot police in Istanbul, Turkey over a pro-transgender event that was banned by the government over security concerns.

Video from the event posted on the Facebook page for Istanbul LGBT Pride Week shows demonstrators chanting as police attempted to disperse the crowd.

The government said the march was banned in order to "safeguard security and public order," according to the BBC.

An Istanbul Pride parade planned for June 26 was also banned by the government due to similar security concerns. Organizers of the event, which was first held in 2003, have called the ban a violation of the law.

People wave rainbow flags as Turkish anti-riot police officers fire rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators gathered for a rally staged by the LGBT community on Istiklal avenue in Istanbul, June 19, 2016.
GURCAN OZTURK/AFP/Getty Images

The clashes come on the heels of skirmishes between fans of the band Radiohead and police that occurred on Saturday in protest over an attack that took place at a record store on Friday night.

A mob of men carrying sticks and bottles had attacked Radiohead fans who had gathered in a store to listen to the band's new album, according to Turkish media reports.

Recent clashes with police have emerged as concerns over instability in the region has grown.

PHOTO: A protestor reacts towards Turkish anti-riot police, June 18, 2016 at Cihangir district in Istanbul during a demonstration against the Islamist attack.
A protestor reacts towards Turkish anti-riot police, June 18, 2016 at Cihangir district in Istanbul during a demonstration against the Islamist attack. British rock group Radiohead on June 18 condemned "violent intolerance" after Islamists brutally attacked customers at an Istanbul record store attending an album release party, angered that the event coincided with Ramadan. / AFP / OZAN KOSE (Photo credit should read OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images)
OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images
PHOTO: Protesters hold placards reading "No submission" on June 18, 2016 at Cihangir district in Istanbul during a demonstration against the Islamist attack.
Protesters hold placards reading "No submission" on June 18, 2016 at Cihangir district in Istanbul during a demonstration against the Islamist attack. British rock group Radiohead on June 18 condemned "violent intolerance" after Islamists brutally attacked customers at an Istanbul record store attending an album release party, angered that the event coincided with Ramadan. / AFP / OZAN KOSE (Photo credit should read OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images)
OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images