JINHA

ISTANBUL - Women in Istanbul held a peace vigil yesterday against the Turkish state's attacks in the towns of Silvan, Varto, Silopi, Şemdinli and Lice.

Women gathered in Galatasaray Square, in the downtown Taksim district of Istanbul, yesterday for a peace vigil. Police refused permission for the peace vigil, called by the group Women's Initiative for Peace, leading activists to move the action to the nearby Mis Street.

Women started their action with a noise demo with drums, whistles, pots and pans and tambourines. With purple ribbons reading "peace" pinned to their collars, the women chanted slogans against war and the women's movement slogan "woman, life, freedom."

Activists from Women's Initiative for Peace read a statement in unison. "We won't allow our hope for peace to be bombed," said the women.

(en/gc/cm)