On March 18, students at Istanbul University held their first protest and were met with harsh police crackdown. However, determined and defiant, the students broke through police barricades, marched to their intended destination, and made their press statement. These protests were in response to Istanbul University revoking the diploma of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul and a key political rival to the Turkish President. Along with him, the diplomas of 27 other individuals were also annulled on the grounds of irregularities, which has been criticised to further curb university autonomy in the country.
The following day, on the morning of March 19, İmamoğlu was detained on charges of aiding and abetting a terrorist organization and corruption. In Turkey, a university diploma is required to run in elections for the presidency. Many have interpreted this move as Erdoğan’s attempt to eliminate political opposition in the country and continue his hold on power.
Following this, students across the country have mobilized rapidly and unexpectedly, organizing demonstrations to defend their rights and resist oppression, persecution, and dictatorship. Those leading the movement have faced severe police interventions, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons. In addition to restrictions of internet access, several social media accounts of student protests have been banned, as a way to restrict communication between protestors.
Despite this, they remain resolute, calling on all university students in Turkey to join an academic boycott and take to the streets in protest. Academic boycott, alongside a general strike is seen as an important tactic to weaken the government by halting consumption and disrupting daily life, particularly by boycotting businesses and brands affiliated with the ruling party and its supporters. Moreover, students continue to demand the political opposition to take to the streets and take a firm stance against police brutality.
As the protests continue, several civil society groups are providing support to protestors, as they also face backlash from authorities. For example, bar associations are providing pro-bono legal assistance to detained protestors, including students.
This rapidly expanding student movement in Turkey highlights how years of political repression, harsh economic conditions, and students’ growing sense of hopelessness about their futures have found their voice in the streets. Students are determined to fight for their freedom and rights on the streets, regardless of police brutality, oppression or arrests. This shows the importance of activism, the fight for their future, and how crucial it is for students to come together in universities and protest for their future.
