Özgür Özel: “This Flag Won’t Fall” — CHP Rallies Against Mayor Arrests
özgür özel
CHP leader Özgür Özel convened a high-level meeting at party headquarters yesterday with CHP mayors to address the recent wave of operations targeting opposition-led municipalities. The gathering was not just administrative—it was political resistance in motion.
Before the meeting, a banner featuring the photos of arrested CHP mayors was hung at the entrance. In their absence, deputy mayors took their place at the table.
According to sources, the mayors were the first to speak, offering both assessments of the crackdown and proposals for unified action. Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş and Mersin Mayor Vahap Seçer reportedly emphasized themes of continuing public service and the need for opposition unity, with a collective message: “These operations aim to push us back, but we’ll fulfill our promises regardless.”
In line with previous meetings, Özgür Özel reaffirmed his defiant stance, stating, “We will not retreat from the streets.” He underlined that mass demonstrations will continue and addressed concerns of further government intervention, declaring:
“The people told us on election day, ‘You will govern here.’ We’ve taken up that flag—and no matter the cost, we won’t drop it.”
“A Declared War”
Party officials described the operations as politically motivated and warned of their potential spread to more municipalities. One strategist noted:
“We’re facing a desperate government that has declared war on us. Some of our colleagues are being taken as prisoners, but their fight is ours now. And we’ll keep serving our cities.”
According to insiders, Özel has consistently underscored resistance and momentum in meetings with both MPs and provincial chairs, with one remarking:
“We won’t slow down until election day, whenever that may be.”
Yet the party isn’t blind to internal issues. Pointing to bribery allegations in Manavgat Municipality, CHP officials added:
“If there’s a rotten branch within us, we’ll cut it off ourselves. We will fight wrongdoing inside and out.”
