Turkish Activists Face Trial After Protesting State Violence

Activists in Turkey entered a courtroom today for the first hearing of their trial. The case stems from a protest against what they call "male state violence." The defendants are women and LGBTQ+ individuals. They were arrested during a street demonstration against police violence. The activists say the police attacked them at that protest. Now, they are the ones being prosecuted. In a statement before the hearing, the group said they would use the trial to expose the system. They plan to put the police violence and the justice system itself on trial for failing to protect them. The hearing on November 25 is a symbolic date. It is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.