The first protest was held on 28 January 2011. After the hostile reactions of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan[4] and Turkish society, Turkish Cypriots organized a second and third rally on 2 March and 7 April 2011. The average turnout was 50,000–80,000,[5][6] making these some of the largest demonstrations by Turkish Cypriots under the occupation.[7] As of 2011, Northern Cyprus had a population of approximately 290,000.
Some protesters carried flags of the Republic of Cyprus and banners demanding the reunification of the island, and signs condemning economical, cultural, and social oppression of Turkish Cypriots by Turkey.[8] During the final rally, unsuccessful attempts were made to hang the flag of the Republic of Cyprus on the Turkish embassy.[9]
^"Zypern-Türken gegen Ankara" [Turkish Cypriots against Ankara]. Der Standard (in German). Vienna, Austria: derStandard.at GmbH. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
^"Turkish Cypriots protest". Parikiaki. London, United Kingdom: Parikiaki. 2 March 2011. Archived from the original on 27 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
^"Kıbrıs'ta Türk elçiliğine Rum bayrağı!" [Greek Cypriot flag at Turkish Embassy in Cyprus!]. Dünya Bülteni (in Turkish). Turkey: Dünya Bülteni. 8 April 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2014.