Özgür Özel: “We Will Not Leave Saraçhane—This Is Where We Protect Istanbul’s Will”

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel declared that the opposition will remain in Saraçhane, continuing their vigil in support of arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, and firmly dismissed any calls to shift the protests to Taksim Square.

“We are here with 1 million people and we are not leaving,” Özel said in front of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) building.
“Even if they offer me billions or bury me right here—I will not leave Saraçhane.”

“Don’t Divide Us with the Call for Taksim”

Özel emphasized that attempts to redirect the crowd to Taksim were divisive and counterproductive:

“We stood in Taksim when we were supposed to—during Gezi. But today, the place we must be is Saraçhane. Don’t try to weaken our unity.”

Calling for continued peaceful resistance, Özel urged citizens to gather:

“At 20:30, hundreds of thousands will be at Saraçhane. We are defending Istanbul’s democratic will. We are protecting one another.”

Tensions Over Iftar Gathering in Saraçhane

Addressing reports of provocations tied to an iftar invitation by a religious group allegedly linked to IBDA-C, Özel responded to claims that individuals had attempted to provoke the crowd by urinating on a mosque wall.

“We will break our fast at Şehzadebaşı Mosque tonight, not just to worship, but to show we won't allow disrespect or provocation,” Özel said.

He added that CHP continues to serve iftar to tens of thousands daily, and emphasized that the opposition would continue to act respectfully during religious practices while maintaining its presence in the square:

“We will not disrupt their worship. But we will not abandon this square either.”

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