Police intervention in CHP's Palestine march: 'There is no such obstruction even in Israel'

Following the genocide Israel is committing in Palestine and the displacement rhetoric of US President Donald Trump, the CHP İstanbul Provincial Organization sought to hold a march to Taksim.

Police intervened against the crowd that wanted to march from Tünel to Taksim.

In the call made by the CHP, they said "No to genocide, massacre, and displacement in Gaza." The Istanbul Governor's Office announced that the Taksim and Şişhane metro stations were closed as of 17:00.

The CHP Provincial Presidency had notified the Istanbul Governor's Office yesterday that they would march from Tünel to Taksim. It was stated that they were verbally informed by the Governor's Office that the requested route for the march was not suitable.

Özgür Çelik made the following statements in his speech before the march: "A massacre has taken place in Gaza where 50 thousand people have lost their lives. Now, plans are being made for the displacement of Palestinians.

Those who reap political rent from the Palestinian Cause during election times are now silent! To prevent the support action for Palestine that we were going to organize, they closed the metro stations leading to Taksim and Şişhane. They are obstructing the transportation rights of millions of our citizens. We will not allow this hypocrisy, this arbitrariness."

POLICE 'DISPERSE' ANNOUNCEMENTS BEGAN

The CHP cortege gathered at Tünel, unfurling a banner that read "No to Genocide, Massacre, and Displacement in Gaza." The gathered crowd chanted slogans such as "Murderer USA, Collaborator AKP," and "There is no salvation alone, either all together or none of us." University students also supported the cortege.

The crowd reacted by booing against the police's 'disperse' announcements.

CHP members reacted to the police's disperse announcement by telling the officers, "The action you are taking is unconstitutional, open the road." The CHP members read Article 34 of the constitution, which concerns the right to assembly and demonstration, to the police and demanded that they open the road.

"THIS IS CALLED HYPOCRISY"

CHP İstanbul Provincial President Özgür Çelik, who was in the front row of the cortege, made the following statements on the Sözcütv broadcast he participated in:

"A few months ago, we wanted to hold a march. That was not permitted either, but Bilal Erdoğan and foundations are permitted. Today, we want to hold a march here as well. It is not permitted. This is called hypocrisy. Other NGOs and parties are allowed to march, but when the CHP gathers to draw attention to the genocide in Palestine, it is not allowed. Furthermore, this place is currently under 360-degree blockade, and citizens who want to come here are currently being obstructed."

"THERE IS NO SUCH OBSTRUCTION EVEN IN ISRAEL"

CHP İstanbul Provincial President Özgür Çelik, who met with the police chief to have the blockade lifted, told the police chief the following:

"You are the police of the Republic of Turkey. We want to protest the genocide in Gaza here. Even in Israel, those who want to protest Israel are not obstructed like this."

YOUTH PUSHED AGAINST POLICE BARRICADE

University students who wanted to break through the police barricade pushed against it. During this time, a scuffle broke out between the police and the university students. As CHP İstanbul Provincial President Özgür Çelik stood in front of the barricade, the police began their intervention.

"THEY DESTROYED PEOPLE'S HOMES AND NOW YOU ARE OBSTRUCTING US"

During the protest march, which was also attended by CHP Deputy Chairman Gökan Zeybek, CHP İstanbul Provincial President Özgür Çelik, and Beyoğlu Mayor Güney İnan, an argument broke out between Özgür Çelik and the police teams.

Çelik said, "In Israel, people are not detained this strictly while protesting Israel. We hold a rally on the Galata Bridge a month ago, the CHP cannot walk in Galata.

Please look, you also have a conscience, more than 50 thousand people were massacred there. Please do not be a partner to this crime. You are constantly pitting the police against the citizens. We are people who fulfill all our duties and responsibilities in this country. We are also the children of this country, the citizen and the police are constantly facing each other.

We are fulfilling our citizenship duties. Enough is enough. They massacred 50 thousand people, and they brought and stood the police against us. Bilal Erdoğan is free in Galata, it is forbidden for the Republican People's Party. What does this mean, please, will you open it? They destroyed people's homes, now they are going to turn it into a casino, and you are obstructing us," he said.

Özgür Çelik made the following post on his social media account:

“At Taksim Tünel, we shouted with our people and our youth against the imperialist plan that wants to displace the oppressed Palestinians. Only my voice went hoarse, and the reason for that is shouting the truth.

Truth: The plan to displace Palestinians is a disaster for our region.

Truth: We are upholding the conscience of humanity against Israeli oppression.

Truth: The government does not care about Gaza at all when it cannot make a political show out of it.

Truth: Our sister Rümeysa is being held captive in American prisons.

Our march was attempted to be obstructed arbitrarily. Those who did this violated the constitution. We will file a criminal complaint against those who gave this obstruction order. Despite all the obstructions, barricades, cancellations of transportation vehicles, and attempts at intimidation, our citizens did not give up on coming here in droves. We are waiting at Tünel until we are sure that every one of our young brothers and sisters who are with us today is healthy and free. We are on a watch for conscience, solidarity, and justice. Long live Free Palestine! Long live a Fully Independent Turkey!”

News Source: 12punto