ISTANBUL — 1969 · Murder
Bloody Sunday: attack on the Taksim rally
On 16 February 1969, a march protesting the arrival of the US Sixth Fleet in Istanbul reached Taksim Square, where right-wing groups armed with clubs, stones and knives attacked the demonstrators. Turkish Workers' Party member Ali Turgut Aytaç and worker Duran Erdoğan were stabbed to death and more than two hundred people were injured. A photograph appearing to show a police officer watching the attack caused public outrage. The opposition demanded the Interior Minister's resignation, but only a limited inquiry followed instead of a full investigation. The event is remembered as one of the early links in the chain of political violence of the 1970s.
- Date
- 1969
- Place
- Beyoğlu (Taksim), Istanbul
- Category
- Murder
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 41.0369, 28.9850 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 14 February 1969Right-wing groups held a 'respect for the flag' rally and called for a counter-action.
- 16 February 1969Marchers from Beyazıt were attacked in Taksim; two died and over two hundred were injured.
- February 1969The opposition demanded the Interior Minister's resignation; he rejected responsibility.
- Later yearsThe event continued to be commemorated each year as 'Bloody Sunday'.
Sources
- Vikipedi — Kanlı Pazar (1969) tr.wikipedia.org ↗
- Bianet — 40 Yıl Önce Kanlı Pazar'da Ne Oldu? m.bianet.org ↗
- Cumhuriyet — Kanlı Pazar'ın 45. yıldönümü cumhuriyet.com.tr ↗
- Wikipedia (TR)
- Bianet
- Cumhuriyet
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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Categories
🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.