Addressing the crowd filling Bakırköy Square, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel drew attention to the banners held by citizens, while another notable event took place just outside the rally area.
The People's Liberation Party, which arrived at the area to support the rally, did not participate after their flags were not allowed into the venue, protesting the situation. The following statements were made in a post on the party's social media account:
"AS THE PEOPLE'S LIBERATION PARTY, WE DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE CHP RALLY HELD IN BAKIRKÖY THIS EVENING, PROTESTING BECAUSE OUR POLE FLAGS WERE NOT ALLOWED IN!
As the HKP, we have participated in all rallies held in Istanbul since March 19th, standing with our people who resist the oppression of the People's Enemy AKP-giller.
However, our comrades who went to the CHP rally held in Bakırköy this evening as they always do were informed by CHP Bakırköy District Officials, the Istanbul Provincial Vice President, and provincial officials that they could not participate in the rally with their pole flags.
Our Istanbul Provincial Chair, Attorney Pınar Akbina, and our provincial executive Halil Arabulan criticized this restrictive attitude of the CHP, stating that this stance is no different from the oppressive and restrictive attitude of the AKP-giller, and that it was shameful.
Demanding that they openly state if they are uncomfortable with the People's Liberation Party, our comrades said, 'We protest your restrictive attitude while talking about democracy; when you come to power, you will act just like Tayyip, shame on you!' and left the area with all our comrades."
News Source: 12punto
