More than ten thousand people held a protest today in Antalya, demonstrating their opposition to global climate degradation and defending human rights. The event took place during this year's 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31).
Nil Ormanli, spokesperson for the organizing committee, highlighted in statements to the news agency DPA that it was unusual to see a demonstration in Turkey with such high participation. The mobilization was organized by various Turkish entities and received support from trade unions, opposition parties, and international organizations.
Although the authorities granted permission for the protest—something atypical in the country, where such gatherings are often prohibited—the approximately ten thousand participants, according to the organization's own data, had to present their signs to police posts before entering the march. The protest route covered one kilometer, starting at Aydin Kanza Park and ending at Republic Square.
Among those present was Claudia Roth, Germany's State Secretary of Culture, who called for moderation from Turkish security forces. She warned that there should be no aggression or arrests, defending the protest as a fundamental element of any climate meeting. This protest comes after recent clashes against LGBTQI associations and following the ban on demonstrations during the NATO summit in Ankara in July.
COP31 will continue until Friday and aims to expand existing agreements on reducing greenhouse gas emissions or increase climate finance allocated to developing countries.
