The opposition in Turkey will hold rallies every weekend in one of the country's 81 provinces and every Wednesday in Istanbul. This was announced by the leader of the main opposition political force - the Republican People's Party (CHP) - Özgür Özel after a rally in defense of the arrested mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu.
„Today, 2.2 million people came to the „Maltepe“ square in Istanbul. I would like to thank all our citizens who filled the squares to defend justice. This is just the beginning. "Now we will come to the squares every weekend in one of the provinces and every Wednesday in one of the districts of Istanbul," Halk TV quoted the politician as saying.
A wave of protests erupted in Turkey after Imamoglu's arrest on March 19 on charges of corruption and links to terrorists. According to the Turkish Interior Ministry, at least 1,800 people were detained, 260 were arrested. The largest demonstrations were organized in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, often ending in clashes with the police.
Today is the religious holiday of Arif, which precedes tomorrow's holy Muslim holiday of Ramadan Bayram, but despite this, people of all ages flocked to the rally, the Anka news agency reported, BTA reported.
People of all ages flocked to the demonstration. Countless red flags, flags of parties and various institutions were waving, chants of "Freedom for Imamoglu", "Justice, law, elections" were heard, countless posters of Ekrem Imamoglu were raised. The slogans read "Together we are stronger", "No more bans, violence, we want early elections".
Opposition media reported that people were signing a petition for Imamoglu's release and for early elections to be scheduled.
The rally was attended by the structures of the HDP and sympathizers from all over the country. Six opposition parties, including the pro-Kurdish Dem, participated in the protest rally.
The demonstration began with the performance of the Turkish national anthem and a minute of silence for the heroically fallen.
The leader of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Özgür Özel gave a speech lasting an hour and a half, in which he emphasized: ”The millions of people who rushed to Saraçhane showed us that anxiety, fear and fatigue will no longer stop us. We are on the streets, in the squares... Today, in addition to this park, there are rallies in the subways, at the Marmaray stops and on the piers. Two thousand students protest at the train station, blocked by police“.
Yozel called on the government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, “to see this rally, to see the will of the people and to schedule early elections”.
“We are ready for early elections because this is not just Imamoglu's work, but our common struggle for democracy with the unity of Kurds, Alevis, nationalists, right, left, men, women, young people, shoulder to shoulder, to build a better future for our people, for Turkey”, said Özgür Özel.
He said that from tomorrow they will start a petition among the population for a vote of no confidence in Erdogan, demanding the scheduling of early elections.
Yozel called for the release not only of Imamoglu, but also of all opposition members of the government individuals who are in prison.
The HDP leader pointed out that pro-government media outlets are not broadcasting the rally on the orders of the media regulator RTÜK because they are afraid, and called for a boycott.
“Release İmamoğlu immediately“, Özel said, pointing out that the former mayor was arrested because he “challenged the dictator“. The opposition party leader calls İmamoğlu's arrest a “coup attempt“ carried out by Erdogan.
The mayor of the capital Ankara, Mansur Yavas, noted in his speech: “Our conscience is rebelling against the injustices of the government. Our struggle is not the struggle of a single party, but of the entire nation. Today, young people, the heirs of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, are joining the forefront of this struggle and raising their voices against injustice, against the lack of justice, despite the violence of the police, and we are proud of you“.
A video message from Ekrem İmamoğlu was broadcast via artificial intelligence from the 9th cell of Silivri Prison, where he has been for six days.
Imamoğlu said: “I cannot be with you right now because I am a prisoner in Silivri, but my heart and soul are with you. I have officially become a presidential candidate. I would like to thank everyone who contributed and supported me, especially our Chairman Özgür Özel. I set out on this path with prayers to God first and with the faith and affection I have for my nation and my determination to serve it”.
The ousted mayor pointed out that the action against him was a civilian coup against the will of the people.
„I am not afraid in the least. Because our dear nation is united," said a letter from Imamoglu read at the rally.
"We will not submit to tyranny," he added.
"With every action he takes against me, Erdogan shows that he is someone who runs away from elections and who is afraid of his opponent," added the detained Istanbul mayor.
The rally in support of Imamoglu was attended by his elderly parents, his wife and two sons, as well as other relatives of the family.
Imamoglu is considered Erdogan's main opponent in the presidential elections, which are scheduled to be held in 2028 unless they are called earlier.
It remains unclear at this time whether Imamoglu will be able to participate in the elections, as he is also under investigation for ties with a terrorist organization, DPA notes.
Members of Imamoglu's family attended the rally.
His wife Dilek told the crowd: “Justice cannot be banned, conscience cannot be closed. This is just the beginning, we will continue to fight“.
A few days ago, President Erdogan said in a speech to the parliamentary group of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP): “If you start making a series about corruption in the HPP municipalities in Istanbul, you will find more material than for a Brazilian series“.
The government categorically rejects accusations that the prosecution of Imamoglu and his associates is political.