Holiday message from students and politicians imprisoned in Silivri

Following the operations conducted against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA) President Buğra Gökce, IBB Deputy Secretaries General Mahir Polat and Gürkan Akgün, and the removed Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer sent a message from Silivri Prison.

Additionally, student Utku Özay, who was detained and arrested during the protests held after the operations, also conveyed his holiday message.

BUĞRA GÖKCE: THIS PUBLIC HAS RISEN UP

IPA President Buğra Gökce stated the following:

"Although the severe injustice and conspiracy we have been subjected to burns us all inside, the thought that it has served as a catalyst for the awakening of a whole country brightens our spirits. I have no doubt that bright days will come and that the country will achieve freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. This public has risen up. It has also found a great leader. This water will never stop flowing. I celebrate the holiday of all our people with my warmest feelings."

IBB Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat expressed the following in his message:

"I wish every single soul in my beautiful country a very beautiful holiday. May it be like the holidays of our childhood so that we can escape the sorrow of these bad days, if only a little. With my heartfelt love to everyone..."

AHMET ÖZER: THE STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY IS A PERSON'S MOST HONORABLE STRUGGLE

Removed Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer, stating that "the struggle for democracy is a person's most honorable struggle," used the following expressions:

"The struggle for democracy is a person's most honorable struggle. In such difficult times, it has always had heavy costs. Thanks to those who do not refrain from paying these costs, our hopes for equality, freedom, and justice have always remained alive. I would have liked to spend this holiday with the people of Esenyurt, serving them and embracing them. However, I am conveying this message from Silivri Prison due to a political conspiracy, in an unfair and unlawful manner.

This process we are going through, the injustices and lawlessness we are facing, are the common issue of us all. With the struggle and effort of the hundreds of thousands filling the squares, we will build together the days when our country is governed by the rule of law and democracy functions with all its institutions and rules. With these feelings and thoughts, I celebrate everyone's Ramadan Feast, with the hope of uniting in an environment where holidays are celebrated freely..."

IBB Deputy Secretary General Gürkan Akgün also expressed the following wishes in his message:

"I wish everyone a joyful, enthusiastic holiday where they can fully embrace their loved ones. I hope my beautiful country will leave these dark days behind and attain a free, equal future."

"WE ARE NOT BREAKING OUR UPRIGHT STANCE"

Imprisoned student Utku Özay gave a "stay strong" message and used the following expressions:

"Hello to everyone, friends. We are fine here, we are proud. We are not breaking our upright stance. We are aware of the struggle you are waging outside. We know we are not alone. Stay strong, do not give up the struggle. They will go, and they will pay the price for what they have done. We will create the world of our dreams. Beautiful days are very close, continue the struggle."