Massive protests continue uninterrupted in dozens of cities across Turkey, particularly in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Demonstrations have been growing since March 19. University students, trade unions, leftist, socialist and worker’s organisations are joining the demonstrations to protest fascist oppression and detentions and to defend their democratic rights.
On the third day of the protests, university students, pensioners, workers and women took to the streets in many cities despite bans on public gatherings. On the night of March 21, hundreds of thousands of people were in the streets across Turkey. The largest protest took place in Istanbul, showing significant public discontent and solidarity against the regime’s actions. More than 300 thousand of labourers and students gathered in front of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) building in Sarachane. University students gathered in Beyazit Square and marched to Sarachane, chanting slogans “Shoulder to Shoulder Against Fascism”, “Down with Erdogan”, “There is no Salvation Alone, Either All of Us Together or None of Us”, “Salvation is in the Streets, Not at the Ballot Box”, “Only Revolution Can Cleanse This Filth!” Lawyers protesting the dismissal of the Istanbul Bar Association’s executive board also did not back down despite the police violence and continued their march. They marched in Taksim, chanting “The defence has not been silenced, it will not be silenced!”
University students are playing a significant role in the ongoing protests against the fascist regime. In Istanbul, students from Istanbul University, along with those from Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul Technical University, and Boğaziçi University, and also students from Ankara, Izmir and other cities’ universities, are organising huge rallies and demonstrations against the regime. Despite facing violent police intervention, the students displayed determination, breaking through barricades and declaring “We are being offered a futureless Turkey full of bans! We do not accept this; we stand up for our future, democracy, and our rights.”
Massive protests came after the detention of Ekrem Imamoglu, the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. On March 18, the university diploma of Imamoglu, seen as Erdogan’s strongest political rival, was revoked. The following day, on March 19, 106 people, including Imamoglu and the mayors of Sisli and Beylikduzu, and numerous IBB officials, were detained in early morning house raids. Following the detentions, the government authorities impose a four-day ban on public gatherings, while also restricting internet access. However, despite all bans and restrictions, protests have erupted across Turkey, response to the fascist regime’s crackdown on opposition and dissenting voices, including the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and other opposition figures. University students, workers, trade unions and leftist organisations are rallying against increasing authoritarianism and fascism.
The protests continue with widespread participation and unified slogans calling for the government to resign and resistance against the fascist regime.