YENİ Party Chairman Özgür Özel spoke in Kadıköy: We will not allow the Republic to be destroyed

Participating in the Republic March in Kadıköy, Özgür Özel delivered messages ranging from democracy to justice, stating, "We will not allow the Republic to be destroyed."

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YENİ Party Chairman Özgür Özel spoke in Kadıköy: We will not allow the Republic to be destroyed

YENİ Party Chairman Özgür Özel addressed citizens at the Göztepe traffic lights following the Republic March organized by the Kadıköy Municipality on Bağdat Avenue.

During the event held for the 103rd anniversary of the Republic, Özel stated that the Republic means freedom, equality, and independence.

In his speech, Özel used the words, "For exactly 103 years, they have not been able to take the flag from this nation's hand, nor the love of the Republic from its heart, and they never will." Defining the Republic as "a supreme roof over this nation's head," Özel said, "That roof is the home of 86 million."

Özgür Özel and his accompanying delegation walking at the front of the cortege during the Republic March in Kadıköy. — Özgür Özel and those accompanying him took their place at the front of the cortege during the march.

A photo of the march where Özgür Özel is waving among the crowd, with a Turkish flag and an image of Atatürk in the background. — Turkish flags and posters of Atatürk were carried during the march on Bağdat Avenue.

Emphasizing the fundamental values of the Republic in his speech, Özel listed the four main pillars of the Republic's roof as democracy, justice, secularism, and the social state. He defined democracy as "the acceptance of the decision made by the nation at the ballot box," and justice not only as equality at courthouse doors but also in income, taxes, and social life.

A frame from the Republic March where Özgür Özel embraces a child at the front of the cortege. — Moments when Özel interacted with citizens during the march were captured by cameras.

A photo of a large cortege moving forward with a Republic-themed banner during the march held at night in Kadıköy. — A banner reading "Our Strength is the Republic" was carried in the cortege.

"WE ARE NOT THE GUARDS OF THE PAST, BUT THE PIONEERS OF THE FUTURE"

Stating that the cadres who founded the Republic achieved what was called impossible, Özel referred to the founding process of the Republic with the words, "They did not kneel before the enemy. They were not defeated by scarcity or poverty. Against the decree, against the single man, they established the nation's Parliament."

A night scene where Özgür Özel and those with him are walking among the crowd, and flags are being carried. — A large number of citizens gathered in the area with Turkish flags during the march.

Citizens carrying Turkish flags and taking photos with their mobile phones in the crowd. — Citizens participating in the Republic March accompanied the celebration with flags in their hands.

Saying, "We are republicans, but we are not just the guards of the past, we are the pioneers of the future," Özel argued that the gains and institutions of the Republic are being targeted. Claiming that there are attacks against the elected mayors of Istanbul, Özel also reacted to the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu.

A night photo of Özgür Özel and his companions greeting the crowd from atop a Kadıköy Municipality vehicle. — Özel and his companions greeted the citizens from a Kadıköy Municipality vehicle.

A photo featuring a child waving a Turkish flag among the crowd and the citizens around them. — Children and families also participated in the celebrations with Turkish flags.

Claiming that there are initiatives targeting the party founded by Atatürk and its cadres, Özel said they would continue to maintain their hope against policies of pressure, blackout, and censorship directed at the media. Stating, "We received an instruction from the nation," Özel expressed his claim for a new politics with the words, "You will either find a way or you will open a new way."

A view of a large crowd filled with Turkish flags and October 29 posters during the night hours. — Bağdat Avenue and its surroundings were filled for the Republic Day celebrations.

A view of a tree-lined avenue where Özgür Özel is waving to the crowd from atop a vehicle. — Özgür Özel greeted the crowd from atop the vehicle.

Saying that Kadıköy is not the "stronghold" of any party, Özel said, "Kadıköy is the stronghold of the Republic, it is the stronghold of the nation." At the end of his speech, he used the expressions, "This nation founded the Republic in the midst of scarcity. We will not allow it to be destroyed in the midst of prosperity."

A Republic Day crowd where citizens carrying Turkish flags are densely present. — Throughout the march, the crowd remained in the area with Republic Day banners and flags.

An aerial photo of the crowd stretching along Bağdat Avenue under night lights. — The crowd on Bağdat Avenue was captured from the air.

A night photo showing citizens participating in the celebration while a Turkish flag hangs on a balcony. — Support was also given to the celebrations from surrounding buildings with flags.

KÖSEDAĞI: THE REPUBLIC IS A CHILD'S RIGHT TO DREAM

Kadıköy Mayor Mesut Kösedağı also emphasized in his speech that the Republic is not just a form of government. Kösedağı described the Republic as "human dignity, the equality of citizens, a child's right to dream, and freedom."

An aerial night view where a large crowd has gathered among trees and roads. — The density of the crowd participating in the celebrations was also captured from the air.

A stage photo where Özgür Özel is speaking with a microphone, with the crowd and umbrellas visible in the background. — Özel addressed the citizens gathered in the area under the rain.

Kösedağı said that Turkey faces important issues such as the cost of living, labor, the future of young people, and the demand for a safe life for women. Stating that the responsibility imposed by the Republic is to leave a better future for children, Kösedağı said, "The Republic is the protector of the unprotected."