22/03/2025 | Writer: Kaos GL
LGBTİ+ organizations reacted to the detention of journalists, politicians, and artists, including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. They declared, "You, me, us—They Target Us All"
Photo: Dilara Açıkgöz / csgorselarsiv.org
LGBTİ+ organizations have issued a joint statement regarding the March 19 arrests, which included Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, and police violence against peaceful protests and demonstrations. The organizations stated, “The oppression and violence that marginalized communities, especially LGBTİ+ individuals and women, have long been familiar with are now targeting another opposition group, revealing the government’s insistence on darkness and its attack on all of us. The foundation of a democratic society is not only the people’s ability to express their will but also ensuring that this will is shaped under fair and equal conditions.”
The full statement is as follows:
“On Tuesday, March 18, a day after the unauthorized and unlawful annulment of the diplomas of 28 individuals, including the President of the Union of Municipalities, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor, and CHP’s presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, a dawn operation was carried out against the elected mayors of Istanbul Metropolitan, Şişli, and Beylikdüzü, as well as municipal employees, journalists, and artists, resulting in the detention of dozens of people. The detention process is ongoing.
Following this operation against the will of the people, those who wished to exercise their right to peaceful protest and demonstration faced violence at the hands of government security forces; demonstrations and marches were banned in various cities across the country. Meanwhile, the economic fluctuations experienced after the operation have further deepened poverty. Police violence continues.
The operation against İmamoğlu and certain opposition groups ahead of the primary elections is, unfortunately, not the first sign of an approaching storm; it is the last gust of the darkness the government is trying to preserve. The oppression and violence that marginalized communities, especially LGBTİ+ individuals and women, have long been familiar with are now targeting another opposition group, revealing the government’s insistence on darkness and its attack on all of us. The foundation of a democratic society is not only the people’s ability to express their will but also ensuring that this will is shaped under fair and equal conditions.
As LGBTİ+ organizations, the 'They Target Us All' campaign we launched after the proposed law criminalizing our existence made headlines once again proves its relevance: The government’s repressive measures first target LGBTİ+ individuals, women, and stray animals, then extend to society as a whole. Therefore, we remind everyone that it is not only LGBTİ+ individuals who are being targeted, and we ignite a spark for the arrival of spring: Let us organize resistance against oppression, peace against repression, and unity against polarization together! You, me, us—They Target Us All”
Signatory organizations:
17 Mayıs Association, 20 Kasım Association for Combating Hate Crimes, Ankara Rainbow Families Association (GALADER), Hevi LGBTİ+ Association, Kaos GL Association, Red Umbrella Association, Lambdaistanbul LGBTİ+ Solidarity Association, LGBTİ+ Families and Relatives Association (LİSTAG), Mersin 7 Colors LGBTİ+ Solidarity Association, Muamma LGBTİ+ Education, Research, and Solidarity Association, Free Colors LGBTİ+ Solidarity Association, Pink Life LGBTİ+ Solidarity Association, Social Policy, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies Association (SPOD), and Ünikuir Association.
Tags: human rights
