site.btaMillions Rally for Arrested Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s Freedom in Istanbul

Around 2.2 million people participated in a protest rally on Saturday to support Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who is the presidential candidate for 15 million people and is currently in Silivri Prison, said Ozgur Ozel, leader of the main opposition People's Republican Party (CHP) on Saturday.

Ozel addressed the crowd at a large outdoor rally in Maltepe Park on the Asian coast of Istanbul and opposition media outlets Sozcu and Halk TV broadcast the event live, as hundreds of thousands of people from Istanbul gathered at the largest park on the Marmara Sea coast to show solidarity with the arrested mayor of the metropolis, seen as a political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The demonstration, organized by the CHP, was held under the slogan "Freedom for Imamoglu,".

Many roads leading to the area were blocked by security forces. Barriers were placed throughout the Maltepe borough. Police and armoured vehicles were deployed in a wide perimeter, and the area was surrounded by barricades.

Saturday marked the religious holiday Arife, preceding Sunday’s holy Muslim holiday Ramadan Bayram. Despite this, people of all ages gathered at the rally, Anka news agency wrote.

In the surrounding areas, numerous people were unable to enter the rally venue as it was already filled.

The rally was organized following a call by the CHP’s Istanbul regional branch for the release of Ekrem Imamoglu, the CHP’s presidential candidate, who received 15 million votes a week earlier in the party’s internal elections.

On Thursday, Ozel noted that the party would hold a series of protest rallies at different locations, bringing the energy of Sarachane. The Maltepe rally was the first in this series.

In Istanbul’s Sarachane borough stands the building of the Greater Istanbul Municipality.

People of all ages attended the demonstration. Countless red flags were waved, along with party flags and flags of various institutions. Chants of "Freedom for Imamoglu," "Justice, law, elections" echoed, and numerous posters of Ekrem Imamoglu were displayed. The slogans read "We are stronger together," "Enough bans, violence, we want early elections."

Opposition media noted that those entering the rally grounds signed a petition calling for Imamoglu’s release and for early elections.

CHP structures and supporters from across the country participated in the rally. Six opposition parties, including the pro-Kurdish Dem, also joined the protest.

The demonstration started with the playing of Turkiye’s national anthem, followed by a moment of silence to honour those who died heroically.

Ozel delivered a speech lasting an hour and a half. "The millions who flocked to Sarachane demonstrated that worry, fear, and fatigue will no longer hold us back. We are present in the streets, in the squares... On Saturday, beyond this park, there are gatherings in the underpasses, at Marmaray stops, and at the piers. Two thousand students are protesting at the station, blocked by the police," he said.

Ozel called on those in power, led by Erdogan, "to see this rally, to see the will of the people, and to call early elections."

"We are ready for early elections, because this is not just about Imamoglu – it is our shared fight for democracy with the unity of Kurds, Alevis, nationalists, rightists, leftists, men, women, young people, standing shoulder to shoulder to build a better future for our nation, for Turkiye," Ozel said.

Ozel said a petition would be launched from Sunday among the population to pass a vote of no confidence in Erdogan, demanding early elections.

Ozel called for the release of not only Imamoglu but all opposition figures in prison.

He noted that pro-government media were not covering the rally on orders from the broadcasting regulator RTUK, out of fear, and urged a boycott.

Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas also addressed the crowds. "Our conscience is revolting against the injustices of those in power. Our struggle is not about one party but the entire nation. Today, young people, heirs of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, are at the forefront of this struggle, raising their voices against lawlessness and lack of justice, regardless of the police violence, and we are proud of you,” he said.

An AI-enabled video message from Imamoglu was shown, from the 9th cell of Silivri Prison, where he has been held for six days.

Imamoglu said: "I cannot be with you now because I am incarcerated in Silivri, but my heart and soul are with you. I officially became the presidential candidate. I would like to thank everyone who contributed and supported me, especially our chairman Ozgur Ozel. I embarked on this path, placing my faith in God first and in the love and determination I hold for my nation."

The suspended mayor said the operation against him was a civil coup against the will of the people. His elderly parents, wife, and two sons attended the rally in his support, along with other family members. The rally lasted more than three hours.

Protests have swept through numerous cities in Turkiye following the detention of Istanbul’s mayor and several members of the People's Republican Party (CHP). On March 23, the CHP held internal party elections to officially back Ekrem Imamoglu as its candidate for the upcoming presidential vote, currently slated for 2028, although the party is urging early elections, saying the government has lost its legitimacy.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said nearly 1,900 people have been detained since the protests began, with courts ordering 260 of them to remain in custody pending trial. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics for over 20 years, dismissed the protests as a “show,” warning of legal consequences and calling on the CHP to stop “provoking” the public.

Imamoglu’s arrest caused the Turkish lira to slide, prompting the central bank to shore up the currency with its reserves. Private-sector stability was also rattled, Reuters notes. The government expects the fallout to be contained and short-lived, while the central bank said the economy’s fundamentals remain strong and indicated it would take further steps if required.