Governor's Office denies permission for CHP's bridge march

The decision of the Istanbul Governor's Office regarding the march announced by the CHP Istanbul Provincial Presidency to protest the privatization of bridges and highways has been released. CHP Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik had made a public call with the slogan, "Bridges belong to the people and cannot be sold. Put an end to the plunder, looting, and handouts!" and stated that the action would be held on Tuesday, February 17, along a route extending from Beşiktaş Ortaköy to Arnavutköy.

The Istanbul Governor's Office evaluated the application for the march and announced that permission was not granted. In the statement made by the Governor's Office, it was emphasized that the route where the march was to take place was not among the march areas determined and announced for the province in 2026. Furthermore, it was stated that the request for the march was rejected on the grounds that the planned route would pose risks to vehicle and pedestrian traffic as well as general security.

The following statements were included in the Governor's Office announcement:

"On behalf of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Istanbul Provincial Presidency; with the participation of Provincial Chair Özgür ÇELİK and party officials; it was requested via your petition submitted to our Governor's Office to organize a march themed 'Protesting the Sale of Bridges' starting from Ortaköy in our province's Beşiktaş district and extending to Arnavutköy on Tuesday, 17.02.2026, at 17:00.

Within the scope of the relevant provisions of the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No. 2911; since the locations and routes for meetings and demonstration marches within the borders of our province have been determined and announced by our Governor's Office, and since the route requested in the aforementioned petition is not among the routes determined and announced by our Governor's Office for the year 2026, and furthermore, as it has been evaluated that vehicle and pedestrian traffic as well as security would be negatively affected on the mentioned route, the organization of the aforementioned march has not been deemed appropriate. I request your information and necessary action."

News Source: 12punto