In Istanbul the opposition People’s Party, led by Ozgur Ozel, announced a new rally to be staged near Sarachkhan Square and the city hall as evening protests began to take shape. The event was initially planned for downtown venues but was later moved to the Asian side, with organizers aiming to hold the gathering in one of the city’s most expansive green spaces. A news report noted the strategic choice of location and its symbolic weight for people seeking to voice dissent in Turkey, signaling how organizers hoped to maximize reach while keeping the message focused on accountability and reform. The plan reflects a broader pattern of coordinating public demonstrations with municipal authorities to balance visibility with practical considerations for a large turnout.
After consultations with Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, organizers decided to relocate the rally to Maltepe Park on the Asian side. The vote among participants leaned heavily toward Maltepe, with the planning committee reporting that a clear majority favored the new site. The decision demonstrates close cooperation with the city administration and represents a pragmatic effort to manage security and access for a large crowd. Local officials signaled readiness to assist with logistics, while observers noted Maltepe Park’s expansive layout as a potential advantage over central districts for a mass gathering.
Ozel said that eighty percent of those polled supported Maltepe Park, and the march was set to begin at 12:00 on Saturday. He emphasized that the decision was a collective one, reflecting the will of the organizers and supporters who want to reach a wider audience. The move also aligns with a broader pattern of adjusting protest venues to maximize visibility and minimize travel hurdles for participants, a shift that underscores the evolving dynamics of public dissent in a sprawling metropolis.
Maltepe Park sprawls over more than 120 hectares along the sea, a footprint that Turkish media have described as among the world’s largest urban parks. Unlike Sarachkhan Square, the site sits at a considerable remove from Istanbul’s historic center, which means commuters from various neighborhoods will have easier access but traffic patterns around the park may shift. The coastal location offers expansive open spaces, sea views, and room for stages, banners, and security perimeters. The choice marks a strategic shift from central squares to a park that can host a mass demonstration without the constraints typical of downtown routes, signaling an intent to mobilize a broader cross-section of residents.
Meanwhile, a court ruling on March 23 led to the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor in a case connected to allegations of corruption linked to a group Türkiye designates as a terrorist organization. Imamoglu, a prominent political figure and the main rival of President Erdoğan, is widely viewed as a leading opposition candidate in upcoming national contests. The arrest has intensified the political debate and raised questions about the balance of power between the government and the opposition at both local and national levels. The development has added urgency to protests and heightened expectations for how Turkish citizens will respond to sharp political divisions.
Earlier statements from President Erdoğan framed the opposition’s gatherings as responses to the mayor’s arrest and the ensuing controversy. Supporters of the ruling party argued the protests were aimed at destabilizing governance, while opposition supporters described them as peaceful demonstrations protected by constitutional rights. As the date approaches, political analysts say the rally could influence the broader campaign landscape, illustrating how urban protests in Istanbul can reverberate across the country and shape the tone of the national contest.