Thousands of Turkish Students Protest in Solidarity with Detained Colleagues
Protests Revive After Istanbul Mayor’s Arrest
Several thousand Turkish students took to the streets on Tuesday in Istanbul and Ankara, reviving the massive protests that gripped the country after the March 19 arrest of Istanbul’s opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu by authorities.
The campaign of protests, the biggest to grip Turkey since 2013, had dipped over the past 10 days with the closure of universities and celebrations marking the end of Ramadan.
Protests in Istanbul and Ankara
On the Asian side of Istanbul, several thousand students were seen rallying in images broadcast by Turkish media, which also showed a major police deployment. In the capital Ankara, hundreds of university students also marched, according to media reports and images shared on social media that were verified by AFP.
Background to the Protests
Imamoglu is the chief political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. His detention last month set off the wave of mass protests that the government has robustly cracked down on, arresting nearly 2,000 people, including hundreds of students.
Opposition Party’s Response
The opposition CHP party made Imamoglu its candidate for the 2028 presidential election. It has also encouraged a boycott movement against companies and businesses seen close to the Turkish government. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel is seeking to have more protests spiring up in different Turkish cities, and called for another mass demonstration late Wednesday in Istanbul.
Conclusion
The protests in Turkey are a sign of growing discontent with the government’s actions and a desire for democratic reform. The opposition party’s efforts to mobilize students and citizens are likely to continue, putting pressure on the government to address the concerns of the protesters.
FAQs
Q: Who is Ekrem Imamoglu?
A: Ekrem Imamoglu is the opposition mayor of Istanbul and a close rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Q: Why was Imamoglu arrested?
A: Imamoglu was arrested on March 19 by authorities, sparking a wave of mass protests across Turkey.
Q: How many people have been arrested in the protests?
A: Nearly 2,000 people, including hundreds of students, have been arrested by the government in response to the protests.
Q: What is the opposition party’s response to the protests?
A: The opposition CHP party has made Imamoglu its candidate for the 2028 presidential election and encouraged a boycott movement against companies and businesses seen close to the Turkish government.