May 19 crisis in Taksim: AKP did not lay a wreath

A crisis erupted during the official ceremony held at the Republic Monument in Taksim for the May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik, who reacted sharply to the AKP's failure to lay a wreath at the monument, said, "This nation also has a problem with them."

While May 19 was celebrated with enthusiasm across the country with ceremonies and events, a "wreath" crisis marked the official ceremony at the Istanbul Taksim Republic Monument. After a wreath was laid at the monument by the Istanbul Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Muhittin Özbay, institutions, unions, and political parties also laid their wreaths. It was noted that the AKP delegation did not perform a wreath-laying during the ceremony.

The ceremony was attended by CHP Deputy Chairman Sezgin Tanrıkulu, CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik, Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan, and numerous citizens.

"OUR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE İMAMOĞLU IS IN THE DUNGEON"

Speaking to the press after the ceremony, CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik claimed that the government had dealt a blow to the national will and reacted to the arrests. Çelik stated the following:

"Today, Ekrem İmamoğlu, the presidential candidate determined by 15.5 million votes, is in the Silivri dungeon. Ekrem İmamoğlu is the one who should have laid the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's wreath here today. We are within the borders of Beyoğlu; İnan Güney, who should have laid the Beyoğlu Municipality's wreath, and many of our fellow travelers are in captivity. Our mayors are being arrested, and a blow is being dealt to the national will."

"THEY LEAVE WITHOUT WAITING"

Responding to journalists' questions regarding "the AKP not laying a wreath," Özgür Çelik stated that the government representatives left the area after the official protocol and expressed the following:

"A provincial directorate comes and lays a wreath for May 19. After laying it, they leave. Other institutions here, for example, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, bar associations, and political parties, are performing a wreath-laying. They leave here without even waiting for that."

"THIS NATION ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THEM"

Arguing that the AKP wants to weaken republican institutions, Çelik concluded his criticisms of the government with these harsh words:

"We have known not just today, but since the past, that the AK Party has problems with the national values of this society. They are trampling on the constitutional order. They want to damage democracy. We know they already have issues with the values of the Republic, but let them not forget this; this nation also has a problem with them. They did not perform a wreath-laying here, but the guardians of the republic and democracy are here."

"WE WILL PROTECT ATATÜRK'S LEGACY"

Speaking at the ceremony, İBB Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan stated that they are facing anti-democratic practices and said, "We will continue to protect the Republic, which is the legacy of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to us. We have youth, we have hope, our excitement is high. We will protect the Republic under all conditions and circumstances."

Here is the entirety of CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik's statements:

"We commemorate Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who gifted us this beautiful republic, and all our national struggle heroes with respect, longing, and mercy. When Atatürk took his first step from Istanbul and landed in Samsun on May 19, he had a thought in his mind. These lands were under imperialist occupation; primarily, the national struggle needed to begin, but there was the idea of carrying out this struggle together with the nation. At this point, May 19 is actually the first proof that sovereignty passed unconditionally to the nation. It is both the first step of the national struggle and the first step of the process where the sultanate was taken from a handful of people and given to the nation. We are in the 103rd year of our Republic, the 107th year of the landing in Samsun. Today, there are great duties and responsibilities that fall upon the youth and all of us. Atatürk gifted May 19 to the youth and April 23 to the children. The responsibility that falls upon the youth and us today is to carry the motto 'Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation' further. Today, there is a government that is trying to steal the ballot box from Turkey. 103 years ago, the republic was declared in these lands. We have a multi-party democracy adventure in these lands that has lasted over 70 years."

Today, Ekrem İmamoğlu, the presidential candidate determined by 15.5 million votes, is in the Silivri dungeon. Ekrem İmamoğlu is the one who should have laid the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's wreath here today. We are within the borders of Beyoğlu; İnan Güney, who should have laid the Beyoğlu Municipality's wreath, and many of our fellow travelers are in captivity. Our mayors are being arrested, and a blow is being dealt to the national will. A blow is being attempted against the national will by taking our presidential candidate captive. In this respect, May 19 is also national sovereignty. We will continue to defend national sovereignty. We will continue to protect the values of the republic. We will continue to put up a strong fight to strengthen our democracy. We know the responsibility that falls upon the youth and us in the second century of the republic. We will continue to fight to make a livable Turkey in peace, brotherhood, and prosperity for everyone prevail. Once again, happy May 19 Youth and Sports Day. I commemorate Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades with respect and longing."

"There is a lot to be said about this and actually about many things here today. A provincial directorate comes and lays a wreath for the May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. After laying it, they leave. Other institutions here, for example, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, bar associations, and political parties, are performing a wreath-laying. They leave here without even waiting for that. We have known not just today, but since the past, that the AK Party has problems with the national values of this society. They want to weaken the institutions of the Republic. They are trampling on the constitutional order. They want to damage democracy. We know they already have issues with the values of the Republic, but let them not forget this. This nation also has a problem with them. Because the Republic will remain forever in these lands. They did not perform a wreath-laying here, but the guardians of the republic are here, the guardians of democracy are here, the comrades of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk are here."