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The İstanbul Provincial Organization of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) came together at Şişhane Square in Beyoğlu today (April 22) and protested the lynch attempt against CHP Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu during the funeral of a soldier in Çubuk, Ankara.
CLICK - Attack Against CHP Chair Kılıçdaroğlu at Funeral of a Soldier
Making announcements from the bus parked at the square, the party condemned the attack directed against the CHP Chair.
Gathering at the square, the protesters chanted the slogans, "Government resign", "Soysuz [Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu]* resign", "May the hands that touched Kemal be broken", "Shoulder to shoulder against fascism", "Right, law, justice", "Kılıçdaroğlu, you are not alone" and "[Minister of National Defense] Hulusi Akar, resign."
Making a statement on behalf of the CHP İstanbul Provincial Organization, CHP İstanbul Provincial Chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu was accompanied by the provincial chairs of other parties during her speech.
Speaking after Kaftancıoğlu, İstanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu also made a call for common sense and tranquility.
Kaftancıoğlu: It is an organized act
In her speech, Kaftancıoğlu stated that the attack that took place at the funeral of a soldier in Çubuk, Ankara did not only target Kılıçdaroğlu, it was also disrespectful towards the family of the deceased soldier and added:
"What was done there is not an ordinary protest, it is not an ordinary provocation, it is a highly organized act. The poisonous language and the ones who used that poisonous language have a share in this heinous attack.
'The ones sowing the seeds of hate have a share'
"Who insulted and threatened the founding party of this country at the squares are the ones who laid the groundwork of this attack. Dear İstanbulites, the owners of this language which sowed the seeds of grudge and hate in society have a share in this attack.
"We are highly vigilant against the ones dragging our country to an environment of fear and terror, we will not let that happen."
Call for peace and common sense by İmamoğlu
Speaking after CHP İstanbul Provincial Chair Kaftancıoğlu, Metropolitan Mayor of İstanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu also said,
"The law must do what is necessary to the ones who took part in this planned attack from its beginning to the end, everyone must pay for this crime, the ones who have to resign must resign.
"This attack also targeted the state of the Republic of Turkey, the Turkish nation and democracy. We stand up against these attacks no matter who do them. Therefore, we are on the side of our party chair at all times and at every moment. But, at the same time, we are also one the side of everyone subjected to such attacks in the name of democracy."
Concluding his remarks, İmamoğlu referred to the common sense and calm attitude displayed by CHP Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and made a call for common sense and peace.
İmamoğlu said, "Please do not have a grudge against anyone" and added, "We want to build such a peace and tranquility that they will not even understand what we did, they cannot even comprehend it."
Protesters
The protest staged upon the call of CHP İstanbul Provincial Organization was attended by several people including CHP Provincial and District Chairs, CHP MPs and district mayors as well representatives from the Turkish Medical Association (TTB), Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV), Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), Chamber of Veterinarians, Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP), Confederation of Public Laborers' Unions (KESK), Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK), People's Houses and the Association for Human Rights and Solidarity for the Oppressed (Mazlum-Der). (TP/SD)
* In Turkish, while the word 'Soylu' means noble and well-bred, its antonym is 'Soysuz', which can be translated as corrupt, ignoble or classless.
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