Turks Take to the Streets in Massive Protest Against Imamoglu's Detention
Multitude Demonstrate in Streets, Demanding maintaining Mayor Imamoglu's current post
In a move reminiscent of the 2013 Gezi protests, Turkish citizens have risen against the detention of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and over 100 opposition members. Thousands congregated in Istanbul on Monday evening, defying protest bans, in the latest demonstration of public outrage.
Native journalist, reporting for AFP, stated that significant numbers of students initially gathered in the opposition-supportive Besiktas district, and then marched towards Istanbul's city hall. The crowds were met with vocal support from residents who joined in, banging on pots and cheeringthe protesters on. Earlier in the day, students had also taken to the streets in the Bosporus metropolis and the capital Ankara, amplifying their support for Imamoglu.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his dismay in a televised speech, stating, "Cease harassing our citizens with your provocations," and further adding, "Desist from stirring up the country's nerves with your leftist anarchist antics."
These protests, initially ignited on March 19, 2025, are the largest demonstrations in Turkey since the Gezi protests, viewed as a response to what participants deem politically motivated legal actions against Imamoglu, a key political adversary to Erdogan ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
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The protests, now in their second week, have seen hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of protesters gather in rallies nationwide, notably in a massive event in Maltepe, where participants waved flags and chanted slogans calling for democracy and Imamoglu's release. Other significant protests have occurred in Ankara, Izmir, and other major cities, with university students playing a vital role.
Police interventions have been forceful, deploying tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets to disperse protesters. Over 300 arrests have been made, with nearly 1,900 detained, while authorities have also targeted journalists, detaining several foreign reporters in an attempt to limit media coverage of the protests. The main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), has taken a central role in organizing these protests, with CHP leader Özgür Özel announcing plans for regular weekly rallies. The protests occur against a backdrop of economic instability, with the Turkish lira experiencing significant declines following Imamoglu's arrest.
The Commission, in response to the ongoing protests, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, considering the recent escalation of police interventions during demonstrations. On a separate note, a WhatsApp message circulating among protesters in Istanbul suggests that they will unleash a new wave of protests via social media, aiming to put additional pressure on the authorities and to express solidarity with the cause. Interestingly, some of the protesters demonstrated in Istaniu, reminiscent of the 2013 Gezi protests, despite it being a city known for its historical and touristic significance.
