Erdoğan to Özgür Özel: 'The street he is calling for is a dead end'

President Erdoğan spoke at the 'Nevruz Day Commemoration Program' at the Haliç Congress Center. Regarding the call made by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel to take to the streets to protest the detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Erdoğan said, "The street that the CHP Chairman is calling for is a dead end."

Özgür Özel had once again called for street protests with the words: "Hey Tayyip Erdoğan, you are most afraid of the streets. Continue to be afraid. You cannot scare us, you will be the one who is afraid. I am addressing all of Turkey, wherever my words and voice reach: in a democratic manner, without resorting to violence, but to seek our rights and to take them by force, the streets are ours, the squares are ours. They ask me, are you calling for street protests? Yes, yes, yes..."

Erdoğan stated the following:

"We are witnessing attempts to stir up our streets under the pretext of a corruption operation in Istanbul. We want it to be known that we will not turn a blind eye to a handful of incompetent, ambitious people jeopardizing the peace of the nation, inciting people, and trying to terrorize and unsettle Turkey just so their own interests, benefits, and schemes of rent and plunder are not disrupted.

We have not allowed and will not allow the brotherhood of this nation to be damaged. Do not forget that the street the CHP Chairman is calling for is a dead end. Pointing to the street instead of courtrooms to defend theft, robbery, and lawlessness is a grave irresponsibility.

Following in the footsteps of marginals, attacking our police, threatening our judges and prosecutors, and resorting to illegal methods will no longer lead anywhere in this country. Turkey is not a country found on the street, and it will not be surrendered to street terrorism."

'LET NEVRUZ BE A HOLIDAY' PROPOSAL

Speaking at the 'Nevruz Day Commemoration Program' at the Haliç Congress Center, President Erdoğan said, "Are you ready to declare March 21 as a holiday of spring and brotherhood? I am ready to submit the proposal to parliament."

Starting his speech with celebrations, Erdoğan said, "Those who believe in Nevruz do not bow down. We will stand tall, we will not be arrogant."

"Are you ready to declare March 21 as a holiday of spring and brotherhood? I am ready to submit the proposal to parliament," said Erdoğan, who also celebrated the month of Ramadan, and continued his speech as follows:

"We will build our future full of peace, tranquility, and stability together. Nevruz holds an important place in both our history and our culture. Nevruz, which is the holiday of spring, abundance, and prosperity, is being celebrated with enthusiasm all across our heartland."