Thousands of citizens took to the streets protesting the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, while President Erdogan remains steadfast in his stance. Turkey continues to be in turmoil as protests are set to continue this Friday (21/3/25) in Istanbul. When Erdogan made his first public statements regarding the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, Turkish police used plastic bullets and tear gas against protesters gathered outside the Istanbul municipality following a call by Imamoglu’s CHP party. Thousands of people responded to the call, with police attempting to block a group of young demonstrators heading towards Taksim Square, an iconic protest site now fully barricaded with metal barriers. From a bus he boarded, CHP leader Ozgur Celal warned the police: ‘I don’t want to see plastic bullets here. If not, the Istanbul police will be held responsible for whatever happens,’ adding, ‘Who are you who will extinguish the hope of Turkey with tear gas?’ Protesters demanded the resignation of President Erdogan. The CHP has called for further protests in the same location and time on Friday. Alongside Imamoglu, five other CHP-elected mayors and ten from the pro-Kurdish DEM party remain detained. Meanwhile, Erdogan criticized the opposition, accusing them of losing their rationale and attacking law enforcement and judicial institutions. He pointed out that the opposition fails to address corruption allegations, instead resorting to political slogans. Protests and tensions continue, with internet restrictions imposed in Istanbul.