Underground smooching Underground smooching

Turkish couples hold subway kiss-in

Public display of affection meant to snub government conservatives

A young Turkish couple kiss to protest subway official's harassment of a couple for kissing in public last week, inside a subway stop in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, May 25 (photo credit: AP/Burhan Ozbilici)
A young Turkish couple kiss to protest subway official's harassment of a couple for kissing in public last week, inside a subway stop in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, May 25 (photo credit: AP/Burhan Ozbilici)

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Dozens of couples have locked lips at a subway stop in Turkey’s capital, Ankara, to protest subway authorities’ admonishment of a couple that kissed in public.

Turkish media say that, earlier in the week, Ankara subway officials made an announcement asking passengers “to act in accordance with moral rules” after security cameras spotted the couple kissing.

The issue prompted an opposition lawmaker to question the Islamist-rooted ruling party, which many secularists fear wants to expand the role of Islam in Turkey, about whether subway officials were authorized to make such demands.

Some 100 people in the station kissed for several minutes in protest Saturday. Demonstrators carried signs reading “Free Kisses” and chanted slogans.

A pro-Islamist group of some 20 people staged a counter-protest. Police set up barricades between the groups.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.