Tens of thousands join CHP's 'Republic March' in Kadıköy: 'The Republic has 4 fundamental pillars'

While October 29 Republic Day was celebrated with enthusiasm across Turkey, the CHP Istanbul Provincial Presidency organized a 'Republic March' in Kadıköy.

Thousands of citizens carrying Turkish flags began walking at 19:00 from Suadiye Lights to Göztepe Lights on Bağdat Avenue.

REPUBLIC DAY ENTHUSIASM ON BAĞDAT AVENUE

After the march, thousands of citizens participated in the Republic Day celebrations held on Bağdat Avenue.

During the celebrations, citizens chanted slogans such as 'We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal' and 'President İmamoğlu'.

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel attended the celebrations on Bağdat Avenue in the evening.

Özel began his speech there by saying, "Hello to beautiful Kadıköy, my beautiful Istanbul, the guardian of our republic that never lets go of the torch of the Republic, always holds it higher, and carries the struggle and ownership a little further every year. Happy Republic Day!"

Emphasizing that the Republic has 4 fundamental pillars, Özel said, "The Republic has 4 main pillars; these are 'democracy, justice, the social state, and secularism. Those who govern the country have cut the pillars of justice and democracy through the judiciary. They have placed dynamite at the base of the secularism pillar with certain Salafi dreams."

"THIS NATION ATTAINED ITS INDEPENDENCE THROUGH AN EPIC STRUGGLE"

Dr. Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu, who also spoke at the Republic march in Kadıköy, said in summary:

"We all know how difficult it was to establish the Republic of Turkey. A handful of people who believed; with the fire of independence in their hearts, they turned the darkest days the homeland's soil had ever seen into a bright future. With devotion, solidarity; by sharing, helping each other; by organizing hope and courage; this nation attained its independence through an epic struggle."

"At the point we have reached today, unfortunately, the foundations of democracy in our country are being weakened a little more every day. The sense of justice has opened deep wounds in the conscience of society. The judiciary, while it should be protecting its independence, is being forced into the shadow of politics. Instead of the rule of law, an attempt is being made to establish the law of the powerful. Through the judiciary, pressure is being exerted on the opposition, the media, artists, the business world, in short, the entire society. We wake up every new day to news of a new injustice, a new inequality. But we have not lost our hope, and we will not. Because we trust in the conscience, sense of justice, and fairness of this nation. We are a people who do not surrender to darkness and who grow our hope through resistance. This country is a country that has managed to be reborn even in its most difficult times."

"We know that no society that moves away from justice can reach peace, tranquility, and prosperity. It is with this awareness that we protect the values of the Republic. We are marching with determination for rights, law, and justice; for equality, freedom, and democracy. The Republic is our conscience, the light that illuminates our path. And we will protect that light forever. We will continue to illuminate every corner of this beautiful homeland with the light of the Republic. We will pass on this legacy we inherited from our ancestors to our children with honor and pride. We have not recognized any power above the national will, and we never will. Long live the Republic, long live the generations of the Republic with free minds, free consciences, and free wisdom. Happy October 29 Republic Day. Happy birthday, Turkey."

News Source: 12punto