Özgür Özel hits the field: Challenges the government in Gümüşhane

Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel has embarked on a comprehensive Anatolian tour ahead of the local by-elections to be held this Sunday in 6 towns across 3 provinces, with an emphasis on "ballot box security" and "being on the right side of history." Having decided to take to the field following the "absolute nullity" process, Özel was welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd of hundreds in Trabzon, where he delivered harsh messages against the government; he also kicked off an intensive marathon of rallies and public meetings that will cover Gümüşhane, Tokat, Amasya, and Nevşehir.

Addressing the citizens gathered at the airport exit, Özel stated that it is not the CHP, but the right to vote and be elected that is under attack, saying, "For this, all 81 of our provinces are standing up for an unprecedented resistance, struggle, and solidarity in our history. We are leaving behind the environment of 'no-elections' that the Justice and Development Party is trying to establish, this decrepit order, and the game plans where Recep Tayyip Erdoğan constantly wins, and we are looking ahead, walking together," he said.

"YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY"

Stating that he made his first visit to Trabzon following the police intervention at the CHP Headquarters, Özel noted the following:

"When the police forcibly removed us from our father's hearth and took the Republican People's Party from the hands of the elected and gave it to the appointed, we marched to the Parliament founded by the Ghazi, and tens of thousands marched with us. You also supported our march with all your heart. We said we would celebrate the holiday in front of the Ankara Provincial Presidency. Hundreds of thousands gathered in Güvenpark with an unprecedented crowd. Together, we marched to Anıtkabir, to our Ancestor, to our founder.

Outside of Ankara, our first steps for the local by-elections to be held on Sunday will be to Gümüşhane, Tokat, Çorum, and then to Nevşehir for tomorrow's program. However, the first steps for this march were destined for Trabzon. I came to Trabzon with great pleasure. I thank each and every one of you for the support you have given and for this historical stance. And I would like to express that you are on the right side of history today. You are here to be on the right side of history. The side where Özgür Özel stands, the side where Ekrem İmamoğlu stands, the side where Mansur Yavaş stands is the right side of history. We are the elected ones. We are the ones who believe in the ballot box. You, who will bring the ballot box to Turkey and change the government, are our only guarantee."

"IF THERE ARE WOMEN BEHIND A POLITICIAN, THAT POLITICIAN WILL NOT FALL"

Following a courtesy visit to the AKP Election Liaison Office, Özgür Özel moved to the CHP Tekke Town Presidency to meet with the women who had been waiting for him for long hours. Welcomed with great interest and shows of affection by the women of Gümüşhane and Tekke, Özel shook hands with citizens one by one, chatted, and took photos at the town building. When citizens in the back could not see him due to the extreme crowd, Özel climbed onto a chair, took his mobile phone in his hand, and took a "selfie" with the enthusiastic crowd in the square. The slogan "Our president is the greatest president" echoed frequently in the square.

Addressing the women of Tekke and party members from atop the chair, CHP leader Özel stated that they came to ask for support for their candidate in the local by-elections, Barış Başkan, and used the following expressions: "If there are women behind a politician, if women support him, that politician will not fall. Are we behind Barış Başkan to the end? Thank you very much for your support in the elections."

"RUN ARM IN ARM ON SUNDAY"

In his speech, touching upon recent political developments and the "absolute nullity" debates, Özgür Özel stated that the AKP is trying to make moves against the internal functioning and chairmanship of the CHP. Stating that this situation has caused sadness within the party, Özel reacted harshly to the perception being created in the public, "Let's not vote on the weekend, if we are successful, will something happen that serves the nullity?" Calling on voters not to boycott the ballot box and to protect their will, Özel concluded his speech with this strong message: "My request from all of you; both yourselves, your spouse, your friend, your neighbor, those at home, children, elders... Wake them up early on Sunday morning, at 7 or 8. Run to the ballot box arm in arm together!"

MET WITH INTENSE PUBLIC INTEREST

Özel, who performed Friday prayers in the Tekke town of Gümüşhane, held a public meeting with his accompanying delegation after the prayer. In the region where an atmosphere as hot as the political agenda prevailed, Özel and his companions were met with intense interest from the public.

TORCHLIT WELCOME AND SLOGANS ON THE OVERPASS

Throughout Özel's walk, the crowd frequently chanted slogans such as "This nation is proud of you" and "Free president, Free Turkey." Many citizens gathered on an overpass on the route waited for Özel with their phones in their hands and showed their support by lighting torches. During the walk, a citizen hugged Özel's neck and supported him with the words "Continue the struggle." Özel did not turn down any citizen who wanted to take a photo, attending to them one by one and chatting.

VISIT TO THE AKP ELECTION LIAISON OFFICE

A groundbreaking moment occurred during Özel's walk in Tekke town as he progressed by shaking hands with the public in the squares. Özel entered the AKP Tekke Town Organization Election Liaison Office located on the walking route. Greeting and shaking hands with the AK Party members inside, Özel then continued his public walk from where he left off.

FROM A CITIZEN TO ÖZGÜR ÖZEL: NO GETTING TIRED, CONTINUE

CHP leader Özgür Özel also encountered intense interest from citizens on his route. A citizen who spoke with Özel at a facility on the road squeezed his hand tightly and said, "You are tired, you are tired... No getting tired, continue! Continue!" In those moments, when Özel smiled and thanked him by saying "Thank you, thank you," the slogans the citizen chanted, referring to the years of the national struggle, received great applause from those around: "Rule of law! There is no line of defense, there is a surface of defense; that surface is the whole state, the nation!"

WELCOMED WITH HORSEBACK CONVOYS

Özgür Özel was welcomed with a horseback convoy in Gümüşhane.

ROUTE: BLACK SEA

Addressing party members in the morning at Trabzon Airport, Özel emphasized here that they are on the "right side of history" and that the ballot box is under attack. The background of this Black Sea tour initiated by Özel lies in the upcoming local by-elections and the latest developments on the political agenda. Announcing that he would be on the streets following the "absolute nullity" process, Özgür Özel held his first rally in İzmir last week. The main reason for the tour to continue in the Black Sea is the local by-elections to be held on Sunday in Gümüşhane, Tokat, and a total of 6 towns.

GÜMÜŞHANE TEKKE TOWN PROGRAM

After the enthusiastic welcome in Trabzon, Özgür Özel's first visit point was the Tekke town of Gümüşhane. In Tekke, one of the towns that will go to the polls on Sunday, the CHP leader's program was planned as follows: - Özel will perform Friday prayers at the Çağırgan Baba Mosque in the town. - After the prayer, they will move to Atatürk Park, about 400 meters away, and Özel will meet with citizens there at 13.00.

TOKAT, AMASYA, AND NEVŞEHİR JOURNEY

After his contacts in Gümüşhane, Özgür Özel will move to Tokat without taking a break from his busy schedule. The CHP leader's step-by-step rally route covering the Black Sea and Central Anatolia is as follows: Çevrecik Town (Tokat): A public meeting will be held at 17.00 in this town, which will also go to the polls on Sunday. Erbaa (Tokat): He will meet with citizens in the Erbaa district at 19.30. Amasya: Özel is expected to move to Amasya around 21.00 in the evening and continue his Black Sea tour. Nevşehir and Ürgüp: Tomorrow (Saturday), the route will turn to Nevşehir, and a new public meeting will be organized in Ürgüp at noon. This intensive field program, which Özel started from Gümüşhane with the reading of Friday prayers, will continue uninterrupted throughout the weekend with messages of ballot box security.

"VIRA BISMILLAH"

CHP leader Özgür Özel started his Anatolian tour with the elections to be held in 6 towns in 3 provinces this Sunday. Özel, who will move to Gümüşhane today, landed in Trabzon. A large crowd welcomed Özel here. A horon team was arranged for Özel. In his speech here, Özgür Özel used the following expressions: It is not the Republican People's Party, but the most important achievement of the Republic founded by Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Turkey, the right to vote and be elected, that is, the ballot box, that is under attack. For this, an unprecedented resistance, struggle, and solidarity in our history is standing up in our 81 provinces. We are looking ahead; we are leaving behind this environment of 'no-elections' that the Justice and Development Party is trying to establish, this decrepit order, and the game plans where Recep Tayyip Erdoğan constantly wins, and we are walking together. You supported this march first when we marched to the parliament founded by the Ghazi, when the police forcibly removed us from our father's hearth and took the Republican People's Party from the hands of the elected and gave it to the appointed, tens of thousands marched with us. You also supported our march with all your heart.

"I CAME TO TRABZON WITH GREAT PLEASURE"

We said we would celebrate the holiday in front of the Ankara Provincial Presidency, hundreds of thousands gathered in Güvenpark with an unprecedented crowd, together we marched to Anıtkabir, to our Ancestor, to our founder. However, outside of Ankara, outside of Ankara, our first steps for the local by-elections to be held on Sunday will be to Gümüşhane, Tokat, Çorum, and then to Nevşehir for tomorrow's program. However, the first steps for this march were destined for Trabzon. I came to Trabzon with great pleasure. Our Trabzon Provincial Organization, our Mayors, our Deputy, the Mayors of the Black Sea, Deputies, and our organization are with us. I thank each and every one of you for the support you have given and for this historical stance.

"YOU ARE HERE TO BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY"

And I would like to express that; you are on the right side of history today. You are here to be on the right side of history. The side where Özgür Özel stands, the side where Ekrem İmamoğlu stands, the side where Mansur Yavaş stands... is the right side of history. We are the elected ones, we are the ones who believe in the ballot box. We are the ones who will bring the ballot box to Turkey and change the government. And you are our only guarantee. I greet you all with respect. Together... Together... Are you ready to march to power? Come on then, vira bismillah! We are starting! Let's walk, friends!

News Source: 12punto