KGM blocks İmamoğlu's holiday banners in Trabzon: 'A sign of political intolerance'

CHP Trabzon Provincial Chair Mustafa Bak reacted to the removal of banners by General Directorate of Highways (KGM) teams in the city, which featured Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and the message "My Dear Fellow Citizens, Happy Eid al-Fitr," stating, "It is a clear sign of political intolerance."

CHP Trabzon Provincial Chair Mustafa Bak, in his statement regarding the issue, reacted to the removal of the banners and used the following expressions:

"The collection of banners hung by our provincial organization and our Akçaabat District Organization regarding the holiday celebration of our Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu by the Regional Directorate of Highways is a clear sign of political intolerance.

Being disturbed by even a holiday message or a photograph reveals the extent of the fear that is being experienced.

However, it should be known that such practices can neither erase the love in our people's hearts nor make us take a step back. This bond was not established through pressure, but through the will of the people and a strong belief.

While no intervention has been made to banners hung in a similar way until today, the implementation of this practice specifically targeting Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu's holiday message clearly shows that the decision was taken with political motives.

While the Highways department has many priority tasks, assigning personnel even on a holiday to collect these banners reveals the extent of the discomfort and panic being experienced. This practice is absolutely unacceptable.

Are overpasses open to public use only free for the banners of politicians belonging to the ruling party? If you are sincere, then collect them all and let us see.

No one can suppress the will of the people by using public power. Such injustices will never go unanswered."

The banners hung by our Akçaabat District Organization regarding Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu’s holiday celebration were collected today by the Regional Directorate of Highways.

This practice clearly shows the extent of the fear you are in. So much so that Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu’s… pic.twitter.com/8hwMUXBdN1

— Mustafa Bak (@mustafa_bak) March 20, 2026

News Source: 12punto