Thousands march in Ataşehir in support of Adıgüzel

The operation carried out against Ataşehir Municipality overnight, which resulted in the detention of a total of 21 people, including Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel, has caused widespread repercussions in the district. In a march organized at the call of the CHP, citizens and members of various political parties gathered on Ataşehir Boulevard. During the event, which was also supported by labor unions and non-governmental organizations, banners reading “The will of Ataşehir is Onursal Adıgüzel” were carried.

Throughout the march route, the crowd frequently repeated the slogan “There is no salvation alone, either all together or none of us.” The procession ended in front of the Ataşehir Municipality building.

Making statements during the march, CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik stated that such a large mass participation was being experienced for the first time in Ataşehir. Çelik made the following assessments:

“Yesterday we were in front of our municipal building. Today we met in Atatürk Neighborhood and are marching to our municipality again. Tomorrow, under the leadership of our Chairman Mr. Özgür Özel, the Central Executive Board (MYK) will meet in Istanbul, and then a major gathering awaits us. We gathered here because we are protecting the national will, democracy, and the votes cast by the people of Ataşehir. Our Mayor Onursal Adıgüzel has grown up within the party organization, served in the youth branches and party administration, became a member of parliament, and was most recently elected mayor in Ataşehir with a record number of votes in the 2024 elections. Now, he is being held in detention under poor conditions in the middle of the night without even knowing what he is accused of.”

“WE ARE PROTECTING THE WILL OF THE NATION”

In his speech, Çelik expressed that there are difficulties in ensuring justice in the country and said the following:

“Today, those who commit crimes on the streets walk around freely. However, elected mayors are being detained in night operations. Their goal is clear: to cover up the fact that they cannot govern Turkey, to make the ballot box symbolic, and to eliminate the opposition. We will not allow this. We are fighting for democracy and the national will with our Chairman and our party members from all over Turkey. We will continue on our path with determination. A handful of people are trying to use the judiciary as a tool for politics. But the nation will have the final say, and the nation will win.”

Following the march, the participants waited in front of the municipal building for a while longer.

News Source: 12punto