Following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and the operations against IBB, people took to the streets all around Turkey and did not leave the squares against the policies of the one-man rule for days. After a week of mass demonstrations in Saraçhane, a big rally was organised in Istanbul.

They broke down the barricades and expanded the area

Citizens from all over the city came together for the rally in Maltepe. It was announced from the rostrum that the number of participants exceeded 2 million. When the rally area was overflowing, people broke down the police barricades and expanded the area. The government's extension of the Eid al-Fitr holiday to 9 days did not affect the participation in the rally. The crowd gathered in many districts in the early hours of the morning and turned public transport vehicles into a place of protest with slogans and marches.

Forces of labour and democracy: United we will win

Labour Party (EMEP), DEM Party, Left Party, TİP, SODAP, EHP, Women's Assembly, Halkevleri, TÖP and many other political parties and organisations were at the rally. KESK, DİSK, TMMOB, Istanbul Medical Chamber, Teachers' Union, supporters' groups gathered to march towards the rally area. Istanbul Labour, Peace and Democracy Forces gathered at İdealtepe Station and formed their cortege. The masses unfurled the banner ‘Boycott, strike, resistance for a humane, dignified life’ and frequently chanted the slogans ‘Unite, unite, we will win’ and ‘rights, law, justice’.

'Universities rise up with academic boycott'

The demands of the youth, who have been boycotting universities and taking to the streets for days, were also strongly reflected in the field. It was possible to see students from all state and foundation universities in the field. Waving the banner ‘Universities are standing, academic boycott’, the youth demanded the release of their friends arrested during protests and house raids.

It was noteworthy that many segments of the public reflected their demands on the square. Teachers, retired people, lawyers marched to the square with banners with their own demands.

“Our determination will not be shaken”

İdil, who took the first floor at the rally, said: "I greet the people standing against the coup against democracy. Our determination will never be shaken. We will stand against oppression to defend the democracy of the country, we will defend our rights."

Dilek İmamoğlu, wife of arrested IBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, said: "Ekrem walks peacefully in all the streets, bazaars and markets of Istanbul. Not only in Istanbul, but all over Turkey, he walks with humility from head to toe without any arrogance in the face of the great interest and love shown to him. That is why they are punishing Ekrem."

Yavaş: Silivri should be closed

Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) Mayor Mansur Yavaş said, "Not a mayor, but hope is being punished. This is not a case of one person, but of the people. Injustice done to one person is a threat to the whole society. Silivri should be closed, Silivri should be closed... As hundreds of thousands of people, we demand the release of all arrested elected officials and especially arrested young people."

Özgür Özel: Boycott those who advertise on those channels

In his speech at the rally, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel continued his call for boycott during the protests. Stating that they will also boycott those who advertise in the media that do not see the protests, Özel demanded the release of Selahattin Demirtaş and Ümit Özdağ as well as İmamoğlu.

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel announced the new boycott list in his speech. Özel said, "We will never open the media of TRT, CNN Türk, TGRT, A Haber, Beyaz TV, Demirören, Turkuaz. I also have a word for those who will advertise. This square says that if we see your advertisement on TRT, CNN, TGRT, A Haber, Türkiye, Sabah newspaper, Akşam, Yenişafak, we will not buy your product."

Calling for a boycott against the Doğuş Group

During his speech, Özel said that NTV was broadcasting the weather and added, "I will show the power of those who cannot see this square. Habertürk and NTV were not on the air. Habertürk went on air. Now NTV is stubborn. As of this evening, we will not watch NTV until it corrects itself. We do not buy the products of those who advertise on NTV. Doğuş Group, NTV, Star TV, Kral FM... Volkswagen and Audi are on our boycott list."

İmamoğlu demanded the release of Demirtaş and Özdağ

Announcing that they will launch a big signature campaign and collect signatures from citizens demanding a vote of no confidence in President Erdoğan and early elections, Özel expressed his demand for the release of arrested politicians and detained young people. Özel said, "Greetings to those who are imprisoned instead of all of us. Release Ekrem İmamoğlu immediately. Immediately release Ümit Özdağ, whom you are holding unjustly. Immediately release Selahattin Demirtaş, whom you have kept in prison for 8 years just because he said “I will not make you president”."

Imamoğlu's message: The nation is greater than all governments

CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik read the message sent by Ekrem İmamoğlu from prison. Imamoğlu made the following statements in his letter: "I know that not everyone is here for Ekrem İmamoğlu. It is a matter of country, justice, democracy, freedom. It is a matter of education, production and sharing. Young people experience the future anxiety the most. They feel their lives slipping away from their hands the most. A person who does not understand young people has to constantly discriminate in order to stay in power. Young people want whoever wins to win to win fair and square. That's why young people have a voice more than anyone else. I am proud of all young people. Young people say to Erdoğan, “Don't lay a hand on the will of the citizens”. Erdoğan plugs his ears to these voices. He never takes responsibility even though he does everything himself. When I set out on this journey, I said, “I will not eat my rights and I will not give up my rights.” I will keep my promise, I will never step back. I will fulfil the duty given by the people under all circumstances. As a presidential candidate, I will compete honestly and honestly. The nation is bigger than all governments." (EVRENSEL DAILY)