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Heeding the opposition's calls for mass protest, a sea of red in Istanbul
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Tens of thousands have turned out to rally behind Iqram Imamalu, the city's jailed mayor and top CHP party figure
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whose arrest has mobilized the country's largest anti-government protest in over a decade
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Those student groups have kept up their own nightly demos. This is the biggest mass gathering in almost a week
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The economy, justice, law, everything is getting even worse. That's what we are here
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We just want a more enlightened society to live without fear, with better education
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People should be able to live and state their opinion freely. Rights groups have sharply criticized the government response
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which includes a riot police crackdown that seemed nearly 2,000 people arrested
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several journalists detained for media coverage and restrictions on popular social media apps
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Imamlu, seen as President Erdogan's top political challenger for the 28 race
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was detained just days before his CHP party was due to nominate his candidacy
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and subsequently charged for alleged corruption. Though the party last week endorsed him in a symbolic election
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Istanbul University annulled his diploma, a requirement for any presidential candidate. Erdogan continues to slam the protest as theatrics by the CHP
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and says security forces will clamp down on anyone involved. We will not turn a blind night to the disruption of public order during this process
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Our security units will take the necessary action against anyone who covers their face
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attacks the police, or harasses our people while they are doing their job
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Though term limits prevent Erdogan from a 2028 run, fears remain he plans to do so by either changing the Constitution or calling early elections
