İmamoğlu: Even if they put me in prison, they cannot destroy my place in the people's hearts.

Following the arrest of elected Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, whom CHP Chairman Özgür Özel announced as his presidential candidate in the upcoming general elections, the new stop for the "Nation Stands Up for Its Will" rallies has become Adıyaman, the hometown of the ousted elected Adıyaman Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere.

At the Adıyaman rally, Ekrem İmamoğlu's letter, sent from Silivri Prison, was read. The letter, read by CHP Adıyaman Provincial Chairman Engin Doğan, included the following statements:

I wholeheartedly salute the dignified people of Adıyaman, who resist injustice with a silent but profound rebellion. Each and every one of you who fill this square, not only stands in solidarity with Mayor Abdurrahman, who emerged from your hearts, but also stands by your will. You stand tall against injustice. Here, from the Silivri dungeon, I share the same feeling and make the same promise: We will not surrender this country to darkness. Adıyaman is one of the most ancient cities in this country. It is one of the places that best understands the meaning of hope as well as pain and abandonment. Like you, like all of Turkey, I have not forgotten the devastation you experienced on the morning of February 6th. But sadly, those who should not have forgotten have forgotten from the very first day. Almost 30 months have passed, and we know that the wounds have still not fully healed. A lasting future has not yet been built for the youth, children, and women in Adıyaman. That is precisely why your mayor, Abdurrahman Tutdere, who came to office with your votes, is determined to close this gap and to provide for all, from children to the elderly. He was working tirelessly for Adıyaman. Now that will has been shackled by house arrest. They aimed to mortgage Adıyaman's will.

“WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE MARCH 19 HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE LAW OR THE JUDICIARY”

My dear brothers and sisters, this is not just a blow to the law, but to your will. We have been crying out since March 19th that what has happened has nothing to do with the law or the judiciary, but is a conspiracy against the will of the people. Every step taken to prevent a city from determining its own destiny is a crime committed against this nation. But let them not forget: This nation will not be silent, it will not consent. Especially honorable cities like Adıyaman, they will never bow! Today, you are speaking out not only for Mayor Abdurrahman, but for the honorable future of this country. To those who seek to suppress this voice, I say: Those who conspire against the will of the people, those who turn the judiciary into a political cudgel, will be condemned in the conscience of the people when the time comes. A year ago, on a hot August day, we were with you as the Union of Municipalities of Turkey. We greeted you in the marketplace and the market. We were hosted by our Aunt Hanım Can, who has always prayed for us. Today, I remain with you with my faith and love. Even if they imprison us, they can't erase my love for this nation and my place in its hearts. I write within four walls, but my soul is free, and my determination to fight hasn't diminished one bit. Because I know I'm walking with this nation. That's why I've entrusted myself to the nation, to you.

My dear brothers and sisters in Adıyaman, never despair. Yes, they are escalating their oppression, but we are growing square by square, city by city. Our solidarity, our struggle, grows stronger every day. With each passing day, we are drawing closer to the end of this unlawful order. This city and this country will rise again. They will rise with the efforts, will, and struggle of all of you. I also send my greetings and solidarity to President Abdurrahman. He is not alone. You are not alone. We are all together. One, together, we are Turkey. And together, we will bring justice, prosperity, and freedom back to this country. Then everything will be wonderful. Everything will be wonderful! Ekrem İmamoğlu. Silivri Dungeon.

Source: NEWS CENTER