Istanbul, Turkey- March 29, 2025 A large rally was held in Istanbul for the arrested Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, with the participation of approximately two million people. The rally held in Maltepe was also attended by the Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Özgür Özel, CHP mayors and the families of the arrested politicians. Ekrem İmamoğlu sent a message from the Marmara Closed Prison, where he is being held. The message was converted into a video using artificial intelligence and shown on giant screens. In addition to the CHP, other political parties, NGOs and artists also supported the rally. The participants filled the entire rally area; those who could not fit in the area listened to the speeches from outside the rally area. Citizens attending the rally frequently chanted the slogans "Resign Tayyip!", "President Ekrem", "Justice, law and justice". Numerous posters of Ekrem İmamoğlu were also unfurled. SOUNDBITES: 00:53:29 - 01:31:29 Ekrem İmamoğlu's letter sent from prison was converted into a video using artificial intelligence: Separation are over. Our nation is united against the oppressor and tyranny. The nation is united in the will to tear this darkness apart. The nation is united in conscience. The nation is united in justice. The nation is united in the search for a common destiny and a common future. The walls of fear have been torn down. The youth are standing. Women are standing. This nation has shown that it cannot be taken capitulated. Let them put me and us in prison and try us as much as they want. The nation has shown that it will crush all traps and conspiracies. 01:53:20 - 02:19:05 CHP Chairman Özgür Özel: If some people see democracy as a tool and try to walk towards a one-man regime, the sultanate and caliphate of their dreams, it is right to defend democracy against them; and the place of this struggle is the street. 03:41:08 - 04:18:17 CHP Chairman Özgür Özel: Right now, they are in the position of a military junta. People and public support, and even support within the state, has gradually eroded. The junta in our head is trying to continue the coup attempt from some small places. For example, they are shooting at democracy from the window of the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK).