A letter from Ekrem İmamoğlu to the Antalya rally! 'We will turn a new page'

Sending a message to the CHP's "The Nation Protects Its Will" rally in Antalya, imprisoned Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu said, "Let them know that they cannot intimidate us or this nation. We will not bow down to their conspiracies or their oppression. What we need for a great transformation is a new approach to governance and a strong spirit of social solidarity. Democracy is a culture of coexistence that must be rebuilt every day, not just during elections."

The letter sent by İmamoğlu from Silivri was read to the tens of thousands filling the square and the millions watching on screens by CHP Antalya Provincial Chair Nail Kamacı.

Beginning his letter with the words, "Hello Antalya; greetings to the women, the youth, our retirees, and everyone who loves these lands and this Republic," İmamoğlu stated the following:

"From time to time, societies pass through a threshold. We are right in the middle of that threshold. Either we will turn our direction toward justice, merit, and common sense and turn a brand new page, or we will remain condemned to the spiral of uncertainty and insecurity that the current order has drawn us into. Today, the sense of justice is among the values most eroded in our country. The number of those suffering injustice is increasing every day, while those seeking their rights are portrayed as criminals. Yet, for a society to survive, it must first trust in the law, and then in one another. When this trust is lost, neither the economy functions, nor does politics remain ethical, nor can people hold onto each other. We cannot produce any lasting solutions without rebuilding this trust. Because justice is necessary not only in courtrooms, but in the fields, in schools, in workplaces, on the streets; in every moment of life.

We set out on this struggle to win the peace, justice, and prosperity that the people of this country deserve. However, they are leaving no stone unturned to stop our march with conspiracies and judicial coups. But let them know that they cannot intimidate us or this nation. We will not bow down to their conspiracies or their oppression. I said this when I met with you for the pre-election campaign. Antalya has a special place in this struggle. Because Antalya is not just a city; it is a potential area where agriculture, tourism, and technology intersect. At the same time, it is a strategic center with the power to form a development belt together with the surrounding lakes region, Konya, and Karaman. However, despite this great potential, Antalya's wealth does not bring prosperity to the people of Antalya because proper planning is not done, resources are not used efficiently, and common sense is not applied. On one side, there are facilities hosting millions of tourists; on the other, families who cannot pay their rent or make ends meet. On one side, farmers who want to produce but cannot find support; on the other, idle investment areas. This contradiction is not a coincidence; it is the result of wrong choices and short-term policies.

We look at both Antalya and all the surrounding provinces with a holistic development vision. We have a roadmap that will eliminate regional inequalities, support production, spread technology, and transform tourism into a structure that benefits all segments. We are not just dreaming of an Antalya where resources serve the prosperity of the entire society rather than just one segment, where young people are not forced to migrate, and where women are present in every field of production; we will build it. What we need for this great transformation is a new approach to governance and a strong spirit of social solidarity. Democracy is a culture of coexistence that must be rebuilt every day, not just during elections.

Since March 19, you have been demonstrating one of the most meaningful stances in the history of democracy in the squares. In these democracy vigils and justice gatherings, we are not only standing in solidarity as a requirement of being a nation, but we are also producing a new approach to governance and a politics that walks shoulder to shoulder with the people. In this march, which is growing with democracy vigils, no citizen is alone. Because we know; this country, this people, and these lands deserve better. We will reach those days all together. We will leave no one behind. We will continue to fight with persistence, courage, and hope until everything is very beautiful. Until then, the struggle continues. The holiday is approaching, and on this occasion, I celebrate the Eid al-Adha of all of us and the entire Islamic world. Ekrem İmamoğlu."