Istanbul erupted in massive protests on Saturday, March 29, as hundreds of thousands took to the streets in response to the arrest of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) called for the demonstration, igniting a powerful movement against government repression. As tensions escalate, Turkey finds itself at a critical turning point.
2.2 Million Protesters Defy Crackdown in Istanbul
Under a clear blue sky, an estimated 2.2 million demonstrators rallied on the Asian side of the city. “We march to power!” declared CHP leader Özgür Özel. Among the crowd stood an 82-year-old woman, headscarf neatly folded, holding a portrait of Imamoglu and a Turkish flag.
“I am not afraid,” she said, her voice steady, her eyes fierce. “I have one life, and I would sacrifice it for this country.” Yet, she withheld her name—“in case they come knocking on my door.”
Many see Imamoglu as a beacon of integrity. “An honest man,” she continued. “The one who will save the Turkish Republic.” His imprisonment, tied to a corruption probe widely condemned as politically motivated, has ignited nationwide outrage.
The Rise of a Nationwide Resistance Movement
Chanting "Taksim is everywhere, resistance is everywhere!"—a callback to the 2013 Gezi Park protests—demonstrators flooded the streets, waving red and white flags. Among them: Imamoglu’s wife, mother, and two sons, a silent yet powerful presence.
Since March 19, when Imamoglu was detained, protests have surged across Turkey. Nightly demonstrations mobilized tens of thousands—until Monday, when the CHP shifted strategy. But according to Özel, speaking with Le Monde, the fight is far from over. "Regular rallies will follow," he promised.
The stakes are high. The moment Imamoglu was arrested, authorities banned mass gatherings. Yet, Özel remains undeterred: “I am ready to risk eight or ten years in prison if that’s what it takes. If we do not push back this coup attempt, democracy itself will collapse.”
Imamoglu had been the CHP’s likely candidate for the 2028 presidential election before his arrest. Now, the opposition faces a daunting challenge.
Turkey’s Crackdown on Students, Journalists, and Lawyers
Saturday’s rally came at a crucial moment. With Istanbul emptying for Eid al-Fitr, and President Erdogan granting civil servants nine days of leave—an apparent attempt to weaken the movement—opposition forces were being tested.
Students have played a leading role in the protests, facing harsh crackdowns. Dawn raids, arbitrary detentions, and a government unwilling to tolerate dissent have escalated tensions.
Ferhat Güzel, a lawyer defending detainees, reports alarming numbers: 511 students arrested in Istanbul alone by Friday, with at least 275 already behind bars. Nationally, over 2,000 people have been detained, 260 of whom remain imprisoned.
International journalists have also been targeted. Swedish reporter Joakim Medin, arrested upon arrival in Istanbul, faces charges of "insulting the Turkish president" and "membership in an armed terrorist organization." His editor, Andreas Gustavsson, dismissed the claims as "100% false." BBC’s Mark Lowen was previously expelled for "disturbing public order."
Turkish journalists have suffered equally. More than a dozen were detained while covering protests. Some have been released but still face prosecution. AFP photographer Yasin Akgül voiced widespread fears: "They want to silence us."
Even Imamoglu’s lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, was briefly detained—an apparent warning shot to the opposition.
Is Turkey on the Brink of a Major Political Shift?
This isn’t just a protest—it’s a national reckoning. As Turkey stands at a crossroads, the world watches. Will this movement fade, or will it spark an unstoppable wave of change?
With history unfolding in real time, one thing is certain: The streets of Istanbul pulse with defiance, and the future of Turkey hangs in the balance.