Ban on ‘Everything Will Be Fine’ Banner in Soma Commemoration in Kadıköy

* Photograph: Twitter - "Everything will be fine"

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301 miners who lost their lives in Soma, Manisa were commemorated in Kadıköy, İstanbul in the fifth year of the massacre yesterday (May 13).

Upon the call of the Platform for Solidarity with 3rd Airport Workers and Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD), several people gathered in Bahariye Avenue in Kadıköy for the commemoration.

Intercepting the group here, the police said that the Governorship of İstanbul banned the banner which read "Everything will be fine" and wanted the demonstrators to remove the banner. The police did not interfere in the commemoration and allowed the demonstrators to march further after they removed the banner of "Everything will be fine."

Minister Soylu has denied the allegations

Speaking regarding the prevention of the police, lawyer Tamer Doğan from the ÇHD stated, "Police said that there is no problem with the Soma banners. However, they added that the banner and slogan of 'Everything will be fine' has been banned by the decision of the Governorship as of today. Then, they requested the removal of the banner."

Making a statement on the allegations later in the day today, Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu has stated that "though the Governorship has the initiative, there is no such a ban imposed by the Governorship."

About 'Everything will be fine'

After the Supreme Election Council (YSK) annulled the Metropolitan Mayoral Elections in İstanbul on May 6, 2019 and ruled for their rerun on June 23, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was elected the Metropolitan Mayor according to the unofficial local election results, but whose certificate of election has been revoked, made a speech in İstanbul at the same night.

In his speech, İmamoğlu said, "They say, 'They are artists, they don't speak.' They will speak. They say, 'They are businesspeople, they don't speak.' They will speak. You will see that everything will be fine."

The day after and on the following days, several artists have also shared messages of support for İmamoğlu under the hashtag #HerSeyÇokGüzelOlacak (Everything will be fine).

(HA/SD)