CHP marches for 'Subsistence, Freedom, Justice, Election' in Bayrampaşa; leader vows 'second war of independence'

The Republican People's Party (CHP) Istanbul Provincial Organization staged a "Subsistence, Freedom, Justice, Election" march in Bayrampaşa, led by Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik. The demonstration, which began in front of the Yıldırım Neighborhood Muhtar office, featured banners with slogans like "CHP is the people, what the people say will happen" and chants demanding the removal of appointed trustees and early elections.

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Our struggle is the second war of independence for these lands.

Following the march, which concluded at the Gaziosmanpaşa Hürriyet Neighborhood Muhtar office, Çelik addressed the crowd. He stated the march was initiated to address issues of subsistence, democracy, freedom, justice, and the need for a party congress and early elections. Çelik criticized what he described as a "coup mechanism" that has been in effect for 17 months, leading to the imprisonment of mayors and the forceful entry into the CHP's Istanbul provincial building and headquarters.

Çelik asserted that the aim of this "coup mechanism" is to obscure the public's real problems, including poverty, destitution, and the security crisis facing Turkey. He accused authorities of attempting to manipulate politics through the judiciary and to pre-determine a presidential candidate, thereby rendering elections symbolic.

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They want to cover up the real problems of this society.

He emphasized that the CHP is not merely a party that identifies problems. "We, as the Republican People's Party, have been designing a roadmap for months, for years, with our party program, presidential candidate office, deputies, and all our cadres, to launch a major development drive," Çelik declared. He pledged to transform Turkey into a nation that "produces again" and to initiate a large-scale development mobilization, ensuring that pensioners, workers, and civil servants can live in humane conditions.

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We will transform Turkey into a Turkey that produces again.

Çelik also spoke about the imprisoned Gaziosmanpaşa Mayor Hakan Bahçetepe and Bayrampaşa Mayor Hasan Mutlu. He stated Bahçetepe was innocent and should return to his post to serve Gaziosmanpaşa again. Regarding Mutlu, Çelik revealed that the mayor was threatened with arrest unless he joined the AK Party.

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Hakan Bahçetepe is innocent. He should return to his duty as soon as possible and serve Gaziosmanpaşa again.