Main opposition leader visits Gezi Park ahead of reopening

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Kılıçdaroğlu addressed reporters during his time at the park, slamming the government decision to block entrance to the park. This photo is shared on Kılıçdaroğlu's official Facebook page.

Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu visited Gezi Park on June 7, amid uncertainty over the park’s reopening date.

The CHP leader arrived at the newly renovated park at noon, and spent a short time talking to police forces posted at the entrance to keep the public and protesters out of the green spot, which has became the symbolic focus of anti-government sentiments.

Kılıçdaroğlu addressed reporters during his time at the park, slamming the government decision to block entrance to the park.

“You ban entrance into somewhere so beautiful. And people only go in with the state’s permission? Can such an understanding exist? What age are we living in? This park is for the people,” he said.

Kılıçdaroğlu also mentioned the previous night’s police intervention in crowds around Taksim Square, particularly criticizing the incident where cameras caught a man with a machete attacking protesters and bystanders during an intervention.

“The prime minister of this country cannot remain silent in the face of such an insult against a woman. If he does so, he will be discriminating against some people. You cannot have such double standards,” he said.

Kılıçdaroğlu also targeted Istanbul Governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu over his statements where he claimed that the reopening of the park would take place on June 7, before moving it to the next day.

“You can’t open or close a park simply by a governor’s permission. What age are we living in? They say they have enlarged the green area of the park. Sure, but the park itself remains closed to the public,” he said.