Istanbul: On Wednesday, as an International Women's Day rally in central Istanbul came to a close, Turkish riot police used pepper spray to disperse a group of protesters pushing back against a line of police.

While the rest of the crowd of about 2,000 dispersed, the women whistled and chanted, "We do not keep quiet, we are not afraid, we do not bow down," as they shoved riot police shields.

After the local government issued a statement stating that marches, protests, and press statements were not permitted, police intervened to stop the crowd from staging a march through the city center. From early in the afternoon, local metro stations were closed.

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The protesters shouted, "Government resign," in the crowd. "We are angry, we are in mourning, we are in feminist rebellion" said a large banner held up at the front of the crowd.

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A little more than two months out from the elections, which are anticipated to be President Tayyip Erdogan's biggest electoral test yet, the event was being held.

Additionally, less than a month had passed since horrifying earthquakes in southern Turkey killed more than 52,000 people.

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