Istanbul, Turkey (CNN) Hundreds of people defied a Turkish government ban to take part in a Pride Parade in Istanbul on Sunday before being dispersed by police.

Campaigners from the gay and transgender communities gathered in the city center, brandishing rainbow flags, singing, dancing and giving speeches for around 40 minutes before police cleared the area.

Activists march in Istanbul on Sunday.

An activist brandishes a rainbow flag during the banned march.

There were reports of tear gas being used on some marchers, according to Amnesty Turkey. The human-rights group added that several people were detained at the event.

Organizers of this year's parade said the event was banned by Turkish authorities. CNN contacted Istanbul's Governor's Office, which did not have a statement regarding the march.

It's the fourth year in a row that the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex (LGBTI) march is believed to have been banned. In comparison to previous years when campaigners were not allowed to gather, on Sunday they were able to march, raise flags and dance.

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