21.03.2025 22:20
The leader of the CHP, Özgür Özel, once again addressed the crowd gathered in Saraçhane. Özel said, "We are not here in Saraçhane to hold a rally, but to achieve a result. We have been in Saraçhane for three days because we need to be where we are supposed to be. Depending on the developments tomorrow, we will be wherever we need to be. If it's the homeland, it's the homeland; if it's Çağlayan, it's Çağlayan; if it's Taksim, it's Taksim."
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is continuing investigations against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and 99 suspects for crimes including "being a leader of a criminal organization," "being a member of a criminal organization," "bribery," "qualified fraud," "illegally obtaining personal data," and "interfering with a tender." Additionally, investigations have been initiated against 7 suspects, including İmamoğlu, IMM Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat, and Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, for the crime of "aiding the PKK/KCK terrorist organization."
ÖZEL ADDRESSED THE CROWD GATHERED ONCE AGAIN IN SARAÇHANE
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel addressed the crowd gathered in front of the IMM headquarters in Saraçhane once again on the third day of İmamoğlu's detention.
Highlights from Özel's statements are as follows:
"We came to Saraçhane not for a rally, but to stand against the coup of March 19. This is not a party rally. This is not a rally of the CHP. There are many CHP members here. However, I wholeheartedly salute all political parties, formations, and all institutions of dissent, including our youth, who have come to Saraçhane, the symbolic point of the people's power in Istanbul, to stand in solidarity with Ekrem President."
"I SWEAR, WE WILL TAKE BACK TAKSIM"
We have been in Saraçhane for 3 days. We are here because we need to be where we should be. Years ago, when Erdoğan said he would demolish Gezi Park and build a Barracks in its place, and wanted to demolish the Atatürk Cultural Center to build a shopping mall, we were where we needed to be that day. We needed to be in Gezi and Taksim that day, and we were there. Today, Taksim is prohibited for workers and youth. I swear, we will take back Taksim.
"WE TOOK THE MANDATE BY FORCE"
When there was nothing left to sell, I will not allow you to stab a dagger into beautiful Istanbul and build Kanal Istanbul. There is a child of Istanbul who listens to the poor, not the rich, who sees the youth, and who will serve Istanbul with a noble heart. Before taking the trust, Ekrem İmamoğlu wanted to steal 19 votes and seize the mandate. We all resisted together. You were there, we were there, and we took the mandate by force. Then, without shame, with the directive of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the YSK canceled the mandate that had been given. They renewed the elections. The AKP and MHP said they would give İmamoğlu an Ottoman slap on June 23. The difference was 13 thousand that day. They came to Istanbul with dozens of ministers and bureaucrats. Ekrem İmamoğlu had no planes or bureaucrats, but he had young companions of all ages. For five years, Ekrem İmamoğlu worked tirelessly with you and his friends to serve Istanbul. After 5 years, they brought out a new minister against him. The people of Istanbul told that minister to mind his own business.
"EKREM PRESIDENT WON ALL 4 MATCHES"
Ekrem President defeated Tayyip Bey in all five matches. Supposedly invincible Tayyip Bey received the first goal from Ekrem İmamoğlu in Beylikdüzü. Moreover, Ekrem İmamoğlu made a hat trick here. This resentment, even a year after the elections, shows that Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, despite saying national will at every opportunity, is trying to break his wrist with the judicial stick because he saw that he could not take this building with votes. We are here, we are resisting. We will not give this place to Erdoğan's trustee.
"WE WILL BE IN ÇAĞLAYAN TOO"
Tomorrow, when our Ekrem President is taken from Vatan Security to Çağlayan Courthouse, we will be there not to be judged in history, but to judge those who question the world's most honest, hardworking, and determined politician with their answers. When that time comes, we will be in Çağlayan. When the time comes, we will be where we need to be, not separating but uniting and resisting shoulder to shoulder. Depending on developments tomorrow, if it is Saraçhane, it is Saraçhane; if it is Çağlayan, it is Çağlayan; if it is Vatan, it is Vatan; if it is Taksim, it is Taksim!
"THOSE WHO HINDER US ARE WATCHING US WITH GREAT INTEREST TO MANIPULATE"
Right now, alongside all of Turkey's televisions, of course, those who support this are watching us live, while those who hinder us are eagerly watching us to manipulate tomorrow. However, while all the world's televisions and agencies are watching here, we are in it. We don't know how much you see, but the world and Turkey see that Tayyip Erdoğan's oppressive, repressive, and prohibitive regime is shaking and on the verge of collapse. Tayyip Bey, I heard that you threw the remote control in your hand while watching TV yesterday! Oh Tayyip Erdoğan, on the morning you attempted the coup of March 19, you banned protests and marches in Istanbul for five days, saying 'those who rise up will be dispersed'... Tayyip Bey, there were 120 thousand people in this square the first night. You said 'there will be none tomorrow,' but last night there were 160 thousand people in this square. While watching TV yesterday, you broke the remote control, threw it on the ground, and hurled it!
"IF YOU DON'T REMOVE THEM, I WILL HOLD A GRUDGE"
At that moment, while I was inviting our organization in 21 provinces, 14 metropolitan cities, and all of Turkey to action, you said, 'If a crowd gathers in Saraçhane tomorrow evening at the call of Özgür Özel, and in any city, I will remove that governor and that police chief.' You threatened Anatolia, saying there will be no protests in any province today. Tayyip Bey, look, today we are 210 thousand here. Mr. Erdoğan, the Minister of Interior is waiting for your call; if you do not remove the Istanbul Governor and the Istanbul Police Chief, I will hold a grudge! But if this is your performance measure, do not harm your governor or police chief. Because even if new ones come, if you come to Istanbul and become the governor, we will gather again. I swear, Saraçhane is ours, Vatan Security is ours, Çağlayan is ours, Taksim is ours.
"PROTEST IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT"
My friends are saying. Right now, there are 300 thousand people here. Tomorrow, will we take our brave one from Çağlayan? Neither this square is marginal, nor is this police a killer. The marginal one is Erdoğan. Protest is a constitutional right. Democrats are brave and respectful of protests. But dictators fear the square. Erdoğan, if you are afraid of this square, you are a dictator.
NEVROUZ MESSAGE
I celebrate the Nevruz of Turks and Kurds. I bow before peace. From here, I salute Ümit Özdağ, Selahattin Demirtaş, Figen Yüksekdağ, Tayfun Kahraman, Can Atalay, Osman Kavala, Mine Özerden, Çiğdem Mater, Ahmet Özer, Rıza Akpolat, Alaattin Köseler, Resul Emrah Şahan, and Murat Çalık. I salute the souls in Vatan and Silivri."