Issue and Opponent: Ankara subway officials in Turkey made an announcement in May of 2013 asking passengers to “act by moral rules” after capturing a couple kissing on security cameras. This announcement was intended to curb public displays of affection.
Dilemma Action: More than 100 people flooded the metro station in Ankara and locked their lips for several minutes. During this demonstration, activists held signs reading “Free kisses”. In the same area, a group of pro-Islamists staged a counterprotest. This event was similar to a previous event in Istanbul last year, where a bus driver told off a couple deemed by him to be guilty of lewd behavior.
Outcomes: Riot police were forced to separate the kissing group and the pro-Islamist group. The action caused a political backlash, as opposition leaders against the Islamist-rooted majority questioned whether or not subway officials had the authority to enact such rules. Other than separating the groups, there is no evidence of punishment.