Event ban in İzmir includes May 19

The İzmir Governor's Office has announced that all public demonstrations, including marches, protests, rallies, and press statements, are banned in the city for four days, starting today at 6:00 PM.

The ban will remain in effect until midnight on May 19.

The statement issued by the İzmir Governor's Office is as follows:

"It is assessed that individuals or groups sympathetic to the terrorist organization may gather in various parts of our province to engage in actions praising the PKK/KCK terrorist organization and its leader Abdullah Öcalan, that acts may occur that negatively affect the life and property safety of citizens, that unlawful processes may be initiated, and that opposing groups may come together, leading to undesirable incidents. In order to prevent provocative actions that damage our national unity and solidarity; to ensure national security, public order, and safety; to protect the fundamental characteristics of the Republic and the indivisible integrity of the State with its country and nation; to prevent potential illegal actions and avoid unfortunate incidents; and considering the serious indications that public order and safety will be disrupted in a way that would stop or interrupt daily life, for the purpose of ensuring the safety of life and property, personal immunity, security regarding disposal, and public welfare; in accordance with the provisions of Articles 17 and 19 of the Law on Meetings and Demonstration Marches No. 2911 and Article 11 of the Provincial Administration Law No. 5442; a decision has been made to ban all types of open-air meetings, demonstration marches, collective welcoming and farewell ceremonies, press statements, sit-ins, rallies, tent pitching, signature campaigns, stand openings, memorial ceremonies, festivals, concerts, entertainment, games, performances, etc., related to the 'We Insist on Democratic Politics! We Will Overcome the Setups Through Solidarity of Peoples and United Struggle, the October 6-8 Terror Incidents case', for a period of 4 (four) days from 5:30 PM on 16.05.2024 until 11:59 PM on 19.05.2024, throughout the entire provincial borders of İzmir, including the city center and districts (Geographical Area - City Center, Districts/all police and gendarmerie responsibility zones). Respectfully announced to the public.''