This is how they protested the censorship of Ekrem İmamoğlu: İmamoğlu masks hit the streets

Following the detention of CHP presidential candidate and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in Silivri, the CHP has launched a creative protest against the subsequent ban on posters. While İmamoğlu posters on billboards across many parts of Istanbul were removed one by one under prosecutor instructions, the CHP responded with the "İmamoğlu is Everywhere" campaign.

In a letter sent by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to the Istanbul Provincial Police Department in March, the collection of posters and banners featuring İmamoğlu's photos and images was requested. In line with this instruction, all types of visual material belonging to İmamoğlu were also banned in public transport areas such as buses, subways, and ferries.

Following these developments, the CHP launched a new digital campaign. The party shared files with the public containing designs for T-shirts, masks, and banners featuring images of İmamoğlu. Numerous citizens in Istanbul traveled on public transport wearing İmamoğlu masks. Thus, the physical bans were overcome through "creative resistance."

'FREE İMAMOĞLU' BANNER IN THE TBMM

CHP leader Özgür Özel also reacted to the ban by unfurling a banner reading "Free İmamoğlu" at his party's group meeting. Using harsh language in his speech, Özel said, "They are going crazy over this. Go ahead, try to take it down. I am telling the cowards hiding behind one chief prosecutor, three prosecutors, and three judges; Ekrem İmamoğlu is innocent and will hold you accountable before the law."

Özel stated that İmamoğlu is growing stronger in the eyes of the public every day, adding, "You cannot censor his name. You can erase his face from billboards, but you cannot erase him from the hearts of the people. You will see that İmamoğlu will be everywhere."

Meanwhile, CHP deputies also hung a giant banner reading "Freedom for İmamoğlu" on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge in Istanbul. This banner was also removed shortly after.