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| Turkish women attack clothing law | Turkish women attack clothing law |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| About 70 Turkish women have protested in Istanbul after a court found a woman guilty of exhibitionism for fishing in what was termed "improper clothing". | About 70 Turkish women have protested in Istanbul after a court found a woman guilty of exhibitionism for fishing in what was termed "improper clothing". |
| The protesters marched across the iconic Galata Bridge chanting slogans. | The protesters marched across the iconic Galata Bridge chanting slogans. |
| "It's not exhibitionism, it's male abuse!" and "State, take your hands off my body!" they cried. | |
| Rows of bemused fishermen watched as they passed - many were wearing strappy tops, flimsy sun-dresses with plunging necklines, or shorts. | Rows of bemused fishermen watched as they passed - many were wearing strappy tops, flimsy sun-dresses with plunging necklines, or shorts. |
| The incident they were protesting about occurred last summer, on the same bridge, when men complained that the woman's clothing was "improper." | The incident they were protesting about occurred last summer, on the same bridge, when men complained that the woman's clothing was "improper." |
| Turkish newspapers quote court documents as saying she was wearing a lightweight outfit like a nightdress, which blew up in the wind. | Turkish newspapers quote court documents as saying she was wearing a lightweight outfit like a nightdress, which blew up in the wind. |
| Last week a judge upheld the men's complaints. | Last week a judge upheld the men's complaints. |
| 'Conservative pressure' | 'Conservative pressure' |
| Women protesters say finding the woman guilty of "exhibitionism" is disturbing proof that conservative thinking is on the rise here. | Women protesters say finding the woman guilty of "exhibitionism" is disturbing proof that conservative thinking is on the rise here. |
| "They think women should stay home and dress properly," complains Cigdem Mater. | "They think women should stay home and dress properly," complains Cigdem Mater. |
| "The question is what is proper? No-one has the right to tell us what to wear, that is the point." | "The question is what is proper? No-one has the right to tell us what to wear, that is the point." |
| Fishermen on the bridge seemed bemused by the protest | Fishermen on the bridge seemed bemused by the protest |
| None of the men who witnessed the actual incident were about on Saturday. But other fishermen expressed their disapproval at the ruling. | None of the men who witnessed the actual incident were about on Saturday. But other fishermen expressed their disapproval at the ruling. |
| "I don't think anyone should be arrested because of their clothing. People cross this bridge wearing all sorts of things," one of the fishermen said. | "I don't think anyone should be arrested because of their clothing. People cross this bridge wearing all sorts of things," one of the fishermen said. |
| "But unfortunately there is conservative pressure on people now because we have a religious government." | "But unfortunately there is conservative pressure on people now because we have a religious government." |
| The AK Party - which is led by devout Muslims - has been in power since 2002. Some are concerned Turkey is becoming more conservative under its rule. | The AK Party - which is led by devout Muslims - has been in power since 2002. Some are concerned Turkey is becoming more conservative under its rule. |
| "Men here are not well educated," another fishermen adds. | "Men here are not well educated," another fishermen adds. |
| "It's the mothers that fail to teach them. But overall, the state sides with men when things should be equal." | "It's the mothers that fail to teach them. But overall, the state sides with men when things should be equal." |
| The protesters sang songs and carried banners calling for the law on exhibitionism to be overturned. | The protesters sang songs and carried banners calling for the law on exhibitionism to be overturned. |
| They argue it reinforces the patriarchal order in Turkey and discriminates against women. | They argue it reinforces the patriarchal order in Turkey and discriminates against women. |
| Men who groped a woman on Taksim Square last New Year's Eve were fined 57 lira ($45, £23). | Men who groped a woman on Taksim Square last New Year's Eve were fined 57 lira ($45, £23). |
| The fisherwoman in a flimsy dress was given a five-month suspended prison sentence for exhibitionism. | The fisherwoman in a flimsy dress was given a five-month suspended prison sentence for exhibitionism. |