İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, currently imprisoned, sent a message of solidarity to workers marking International Workers’ Day across Turkey.
Speaking from Marmara Closed Prison (Silivri), İmamoğlu called for an end to economic injustice and political repression, urging unity among workers and citizens for a democratic future. His message was read aloud at the main İstanbul May Day rally in Kadıköy by Asalettin Aslanoğlu, regional representative of the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DİSK).
“Today is the day of workers and labourers. From prison, I greet every worker and labourer fighting for fair conditions,” the message began. Referring to his own detention following the 19 March operation, which also saw hundreds of municipal employees and opposition-linked administrators taken into custody, İmamoğlu condemned the “economic collapse” and described the crackdown as deepening the country’s crisis.
“The government has made life even harder for millions struggling to get by,” he said. “But this era will end. A time is coming when labourers will receive their due.”
Once a high-profile opposition figure from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), İmamoğlu was elected mayor of İstanbul in 2019 in a landmark victory for the opposition. He was later imprisoned on politically controversial charges, in a move widely criticised by international observers and rights organisations.
His May Day message reiterated his vision for a democratic Turkey: “We will soon see a time when bans and repression end, when millions celebrate May Day in Taksim Square.”
İstanbul’s Taksim Square holds deep symbolic significance for Turkey’s labour movement. May Day gatherings have been banned there for years, following violent clashes in previous decades.
Labour unions and civil society groups continue to call for İmamoğlu’s release, framing his detention as part of a broader pattern of government pressure against elected opposition figures.
Asalettin Aslanoğlu, who read the message, said the crowd in Kadıköy responded with chants and applause. “There is hope among workers. They want a fairer system — and they want their voices to be heard,” he stated.
