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Police blocked the Freedom for Journalists march by setting up barricades

A planned “Freedom for Journalists” march in Kadıköy, against the repression and arrests of journalists, was blocked by police barricades. Despite heavy rain, journalists, along with citizens, held a press conference behind the police barricade. The statement read, “We are aware of what might happen to us. Despite this, we write and speak. And we will continue to write and speak. Because we are not afraid.” The statement called for the immediate release of all imprisoned journalists and demanded an end to the suppression of press freedom, and stated, “We want freedom for journalism and democracy for the country.” Messages from imprisoned journalists Merdan Yanardağ, Alican Uludağ, and İsmail Arı were read aloud at the press conference.

The arrests of journalists, including BirGün reporter İsmail Arı, DW Turkish reporter Alican Uludağ, and journalist-writer Merdan Yanardağ, and the increasing pressure on journalism are sparking a massive wave of protests.

Following a call from journalists, citizens gathered in Mehmet Ayvalıtaş Park despite the continuous and heavy rain.

The protest was supported by numerous journalists from various media outlets, unemployed journalists, citizens, democratic mass organizations and unions, retirees, communication faculty students and academics, as well as political parties and press professional organizations.

Ismail Arı’s family also supported the protest, and Nurgül Göksu, who lost three relatives in the earthquake, also spoke out for Arı.