Police intervention in protest against the closure of Bilgi University

Following the decision published in the Official Gazette regarding the closure of Bilgi University, students, academics, and alumni gathered at the Santral Campus in Istanbul. Due to the university administration closing the campus gates, many students were forced to spend the night at the school.

Outside the campus, hundreds of students, parents, and alumni continued to wait behind barricades set up by riot police units. As the number of participants increased as the hours passed, security measures by law enforcement were tightened.

Throughout the protest, various slogans were chanted, such as "YÖK, police, media; this blockade will be broken," "Police out, teachers in," and "We will win by resisting." Students holding signs at the school entrances and outside expressed their reactions with phrases like "We were left without knowledge in one night," "Bilgi is ours, it will remain ours," and "We will not give up our department, our professors, our curriculum, or our campus."

Police intervened when groups of students attempting to enter tried to cross the barricades. Following the intervention, several people, including students, were detained. The protesting crowd was also supported by the honking of vehicles passing by the school.

While it was observed that reactions to the university's closure decision became a trending topic on social media, it was reported that the wait and protests at the scene are continuing.

News Source: 12punto