Islamists pelted International Women’s Day marchers in Islamabad, Pakistan, with various blunt objects as several militant groups staged a rival protest nearby.
Dozens of members of the Red Mosque brigade, a coalition of militant forces in Pakistan, staged an anti-Women’s Day march on Sunday to compete with others hailing the March 8 occasion in the country’s capital. The International Women’s Day march drew counterprotesters who tossed bricks, sticks, rocks, shoes, and other objects at the crowd, according to Reuters.
Pakistani police attempted to intervene and keep the Islamists away from the Women’s Day marchers, according to police official Mazhar Niazi. The police officer added that nobody was injured despite the violence.
In Turkey, authorities fired tear gas at the last few dozen people trying to march for International Women’s Day. The original crowd formed on the edge of Istanbul’s Taksim Square and attempted to march down the main pedestrian thoroughfare Istiklal Street. A row of police officers blocked the entrance to the street, however.
“All roads leading to Taksim Square and Istiklal Street will be closed as these places are not classified as designated areas for assembly and demonstrations according to law,” Istanbul’s governor said in a statement.
