LGBTQ+ Activists March Amid Security Crackdown at Cop31

LGBTQ+ activists joined a civil society climate march in Antalya on Saturday during the Cop31 UN climate summit. Protesters unfurled rainbow flags and were protected by a cordon of international activists to prevent police repression, following an increase in the persecution of LGBTQ+ groups in Turkey since September.

Turkish police conducted a massive security operation to control the route, utilizing steel barriers, bag searches, and double frisking. While global participants demanded climate justice and the accountability of polluters, some used the event to highlight restricted civil spaces in countries such as Indonesia.

As the protests occurred, UN chief climate negotiator Simon Stiell urged participating countries to address the most difficult issues of the summit to avoid tactical delays. Stiell stated, "There is no collective success without compromise from every party."