The protests that started with the revocation of the diploma of the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) İmamoğlu and his detention continue on the 4th day of his detention. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Saraçhane, where the IBB building is located, despite bans and obstructions. The youth, women and labourers who took part in the protest expressed their determination with the slogans "The day will come, the day will turn, the AKP will answer to the people", "We will win by resisting", "We will win by uniting", "Rights, law, justice" and called for "General strike, general resistance". Speaking in Saraçhane, CHP leader Özgür Özel said: "While those who criminalised Gezi and are still keeping our friends in prison are bringing this country to this point step by step, Istanbul University was the first to overcome this obstacle. If this square exists today, it is thanks to the young people of Istanbul University. He said and gave the message that they will continue their struggle.
The public workers of KESK entered Saraçhane with slogans like "The trustee is a coup, we will not allow a coup", "There is no salvation, all together or none of us".

Call for 'general strike, general resistance'

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in the square. In today's protest, before Özgür Özel's speech, the youth took the floor.

Labour Youth member Ezgi Tatlı said: 'We have been standing up in our universities and neighbourhoods all over Turkey for four days, we are defending our will. We know that this infamous decision of the Istanbul University administration is not just a matter of one person, we do not recognise this infamous decision. We promise that we will continue our struggle until this decision is cancelled and all prisoners are released. While the universities are announcing boycotts one by one and life will be stopped from Monday, we have a call to the workers, labourers, trade unions and professional organisations: let's organise a general strike and general resistance'.

CHP provincial leader Özgür Çelik announced from the podium that the number of participants was more than one million.

CHP leader Özgür Özel addressed the crowd from the rostrum. Özel demanded an end to the police operations in many cities, especially in the Çağlayan courthouse.

A state of emergency at the Istanbul Court: Imamoğlu testifies

Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), who was arrested in the operation against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), and other names whose procedures were completed at the police were brought to the Istanbul Court in Çağlayan after 4 days. Citizens gathered in front of the courthouse with the slogans "People, Law, Justice". Lawyers were prevented from entering the court. The 'urban consensus' testimony of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, IBB Deputy General Secretary Mahir Polat and Reform Institute President Mehmet Ali Çalışkan at the prosecutor's office started at around 9.40 pm. At around 23.00, İmamoğlu's "urban reconciliation" statement was completed. At 11.40 pm, İmamoğlu started his testimony on the 'corruption' investigation.

'The biggest security siege ever'

While the courthouse was blocked by the police, all roads leading to Çağlayan were closed by decision of the governorate. The Çağlayan metro bus stop was bypassed in both directions. Extraordinary measures were taken and the police closed some points around Çağlayan Square and Abide-i Hürriyet Street with barriers. Dozens of TOMAs and riot police vehicles were deployed in the area. Lawyers and journalists were prevented from entering the courthouse. Police barricades were set up in the corridors of the courthouse. Lawyers outside the courthouse put on their robes in front of the police barricades and chanted slogans such as 'rights, law, justice'. Lawyers were pepper sprayed.

Istanbul Governorate extends ban on protests: Entry and exit to the city also restricted

The Istanbul Governorate has extended the ban on demonstrations and protests for another 4 days until tomorrow (23 March). The ban also includes the entry and exit of 'persons likely to organise demonstrations' into the city.

Individuals, groups and vehicles that are likely to participate in illegal demonstrations individually or collectively by using the route of our province from the districts of our province or neighbouring provinces will not be allowed to enter or leave our province,' the Istanbul Governorate said in a statement.

The governorate, which had previously announced that all kinds of demonstrations and marches would be banned until 23 March, said in its latest statement that the ban on indoor and outdoor meetings and demonstrations, setting up tents, opening stalls, sit-ins, signature campaigns, commemorations and similar kinds of actions and activities, distributing leaflets, hanging banners and posters would be extended until 26 March at 11:59 pm.

Protests continue across the country

The protests that started after the mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), Ekrem İmamoğlu, was stripped of his diploma and then imprisoned, continue across the country and abroad. (EVRENSEL DAILY)