ISTANBUL - Speaking at the Istanbul Newroz, HDK Co-spokesperson Ali Kenanoglu described the arrest to Ekrem Imamogly as a "coup against the will of the people". 

 

Newroz celebration is being organised in Istanbul by Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) with the slogan "Democratic Society for Freedom". Newroz fire was lit in the celebrations held in Yenikapı Square with the gathering of hundreds of thousands of people. 

 

Adressing hundreds of thousands, HDK Co-spokesperson Ali Kenanoglu said, "HDK is the people, HDK is millions and you cannot imprison HDK. Now there is an operation against the will of the people of Istanbul. We opposed the coup every time. We see what has been done agianst Istanbul and the 'Urban Consensus' as a coup. This coup is also a provocation against Mr Öcalan's call for peace."

 

Yesterday, Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş said: "Yesterday, while flags, which in my opinion are rags, were waved somewhere in the East (Kurdistan region), the police gave cotton candy to those who went to that rally, but I do not find the intervention here right. We expect the police forces to offer cotton candy to the young people here." Kenanoğlu reacted to Mansur Yavaş and said, "There was a provocateur in Sarahçahane yesterday. Did you say a word while Kurdish children were crushed under panzers? It is their job to make separatism. We are against this coup. We took our place in Saraçhane. We won't give you a chance. We won't give you a chance just like the provocateurs in this country. This Newroz is the Newroz of embracing peace and democratic society."