All-out challenge to the Palace from Kılıçdaroğlu: If I prove it, will you resign?

In any case, I am not vested with any such power, either. This regulation was made for those in power. How is an ordinary citizen to instruct a judge? If I prove that your government sends circulars and gives instructions to courts, will you resign like an honourable and decent person? And I make the promise that if I cannot prove this I will leave politics.’
 
 
CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu’s Justice March embarked on its sixth day at 8.10 am from Bulak village in Kızılcahamam where an overnight stay had been made. Around 3,000 people joined the march, including Kılıçdaroğlu's wife Selvi Kılıçdaoğlu, Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions General Chair Kani Beko, members of parliament, mayors and workers. For the past five days, Kılıçdaroğlu had made a brief statement prior to each march, but this time he set out on the march without making a statement.
 
CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu addressed the first ever group meeting to be held outside Ankara at the Çamlıdere fork where a noon break was held. Prior to Kılıçdaroğlu's speech, a minute’s silence was held for Hasan Tatlı, who lost his life following a heart attack he suffered on Sunday’s march. At the place where the group meeting was held, a large number of CHP MPs and citizens watched the meeting with a banner reading ‘You will never walk alone’ being unfurled.

CHP Group Deputy Chair Levent Gök said that a historic session of the group was being held before inviting Kılıçdaroğlu to the rostrum. Gök also read the message that CHP Istanbul MP Enis Berberoğlu, in detention in Maltepe Prison, had sent to the meeting.

‘I AM NOT MARCHING FOR MYSELF’

CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu, addressing his party’s 34^th group meeting of the 26^th period on the platform set up at the venue, emphasised that they were writing history. Kılıçdaroğlu said, ‘We are writing the history of justice. They ask: “Why this march?” I would like to ask the following of those who ask this question: “What do you understand by justice? What is justice to you? Are you going to speak of injustice if you are wronged, or are we going to speak of injustice all together when any person at all has been wronged?” All prophets were on the side of justice. Justice is such a noble concept. I am not marching for myself. I am marching for all the wronged who are seeking justice. Whoever complains about justice and seeks justice and awaits justice, I am on their side and will defend their right to the end. This is my human duty. It is the duty of humans to defend justice, not to oppose justice.’

‘THERE ARE THOSE WHO TRY TO PORTRAY OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AS BEING A FAVOUR’

Kılıçdaroğlu, noting that humanity will also be absent from a place where justice is absent, said, ‘There is no state in a place where there is no justice. There are those who try to portray our birth rights and our constitutional rights as being a favour. “There you are. You are marching. We grant you this favour.” In history, this is what pharaohs said and nowadays dictators say it. I have birth rights as a human being. I live in a democratic country and I have constitutional rights. As a human being, I will defend justice and will always be on the side of justice. If somebody reminds me of my rights calling them a favour, I will remind them of dictatorship. I will say, “You are a dictator”.’

‘WE ARE MARCHING BECAUSE THERE IS NO JUSTICE. IF THERE WERE JUSTICE, WHY WOULD WE MARCH?’
CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu, responding to rebukes, ‘Why are you seeking justice by marching?’ said the following: ‘I decided that I would walk alone on this road that I am treading for justice. There was to be a placard in my hand. I said I would walk from Güven Park to Istanbul. I extend my gratitude, respect and affection to all those citizens who have not left me alone on this road. Never worry and succumb to hopelessness. Be aware that wherever a chimney smokes there is somebody who defends justice there. They say, “Why are you seeking justice by marching?” They do not say, “There is justice in the country, so why are you marching for it?” We are marching because there is no justice. If there were justice, why would we march? If there were justice, we would all be at ease and would not complain of injustice. What are we to do in a place where there is no justice? We are marching and seeking our rights.’

‘LET NOBODY FORGET. THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE 15 JULYS.’
Kılıçdaroğlu, further responding to criticism about ‘civil disobedience,’ said, ‘They ask, “Why did they not obtain permission?” Permission is taken from nobody to defend justice. Justice is God’s command. We know that justice is not functioning properly but it has not collapsed. There are still some who defend justice. Hundreds of thousands of people came out into the street after the 15 July treasonous coup attempt. Nobody asked, “Why did you come out into the street?” because they were defending democracy and the flag. And there is also a second 15 July. Let nobody forget this. There are two separate 15 Julys. The people’s 15 July and the palace’s 15 July. Do not forget 15 July. On the people’s 15 July the people came out into the street. They stood up for democracy. They stood up for the flag. This is the people’s 15 July.’
‘THE COUP OF 20 JULY IS THE DATE ON WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WAS AUTHORISED TO ISSUE DECREES.’

CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu continued, ‘We came to 20 July, the palace’s 15 July. This is the palace’s 15 July. They went to great lengths for light not to be shed on the people’s 15 July. Commissions were set up in parliament. Former chiefs of the general staff, former intelligence agency undersecretaries and new staff appeared but the two most basic actors never appeared before this commission. Why? Because those who staged the Palace’s 15 July did not permit this. They said, “You will not go to parliament.” Why are these two civil servants of yours not appearing? Why do they not appear and provide information? Permission was denied and no information was forthcoming, either. It is the date on which the government was authorised to issue decrees under the state of emergency, the coup of 20 July. The jobs of 105,836 public servants have been ended. Are these the ones who staged the coup? Thousands of workers have been dismissed from their jobs. They committed a collective crime. They proclaim one person from a family to be guilty and accuse the whole family. Does this amount to fighting against a coup, or does this amount to empowering the 20 July coup and silencing all opponents? They have tried to do this and have demolished justice.’

RETORT TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT: DO NOT RULE IN LINE WITH INSTRUCTIONS EMANATING FROM THE PALACE

Reacting to decisions passed by the Constitutional Court and appealing to Constitutional Court members, Kılıçdaroğlu commented, ‘The Constitutional Court has not done well in its exams after the 20 July coup and has failed. I wish to appeal to the esteemed members of the Constitutional Court. Why are you not passing rulings? Why do you not stand by your old decisions? Why do you not stand resolutely and honourably behind your old decisions? Why do you remain silent with MPs in prison? Why do you not tell those shouting, “Will of the nation” that “You cannot imprison the will of the nation?” The valued members of the Constitutional Court must comply with this. It must stand up for the decision it has passed. It must stand behind that decision. I have nothing to say if you, in common with the other judges, are inclined to go out and pick tea, but, if you say, “We are judges and we have honour and have studied the law. We are defending the Constitution,” do not look to the palace. Do not rule in line with instructions emanating from the palace. Stand by your honour and your principles. Let us also show you respect and we will show you this respect. You pass your ruling without delay. This is what we are waiting for.’

‘IF I CANNOT PROVE THIS I WILL LEAVE POLITICS’

With President Erdoğan having reminded him of Article 138 of the Constitution, Kılıçdaroğlu, replying with reference to the same article, said, ‘He reminds me, “There is Article 138 of the Constitution.” Yes, there is. I am complying with it. In any case, I am not vested with any such power, either. This regulation was made for those in power. How is an ordinary citizen to instruct a judge? I make a clear and cogent call from here. I make a call to the gentleman who reminds me of Article 138. If I prove that your government sends circulars and gives instructions to courts, will you resign like an honourable and decent person? And I make the promise that if I cannot prove this I will leave politics. This is because I am an honourable and decent person.’

‘IF YOU DARE, COME AND FACE ME’

CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu, proposing to President Erdoğan that they sit face to face on a television programme and talk, said the following:

‘From time to time, there is debate between political parties. We all greet this with respect. This happens in all democracies. When one person says A another may say B, because everyone has different ways and methods. We have had nothing to say to anyone who has been voted into power by citizens and has done their duty by safeguarding justice. We have never made a particular accusation like why did you come and take power. We launched a justice march. Insults came by the dozen. The so-called president occupies his so-called office. He comes out with lots of talk. I do not want to be at the receiving end when he does. I do not consider this to be correct. The position he occupies is a special position. Come, then, and face me. If you dare, if you speak of decency, honour and dignity come and face me. Let us sit on one of your TV stations and debate. Let us sit like two civilised people. Why are you afraid? Dictators as I know them are not greatly afraid, but there is great fear in their internal worlds. I do not beat people up or insult them. I sit like a civilised person and debate. Why do you not come? He sometimes says, “You are no match for me.” This is a point on which I am actually the person to make this assertion. I put up with debating with you so as to expose your true face. If this is what you say, why do you lay into me morning, afternoon and evening, friend?’

‘2019 WILL BE THE DATE WHEN DEMOCRACY WILL COME TO PROMINENCE IN TURKEY’

CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu continued as follows: ‘Why is all of this happening? I will tell you a secret; do not let anyone in on it. All of this is out of fear for 2019. He is afraid in case he is ousted. Friend, nobody is permanently in office. You will live up to the office. You will not abuse the rights of mortals. You abuse the rights of mortals and do not live up to the office. That is why we are today in the streets and are marching for justice. He thinks, “I will set up a stampless election again in 2019.” We will not permit this. He thinks, “I will set the Supreme Election Council up again in 2019. We are creating a gang there.” We will not permit this, either. Every pharaoh has his Moses. We know who the pharaoh is and the Moseses are here. We will resist oppression. We will defend justice. We know full well that it is the devil who stays silent and dumb in the face of injustice. We will never be dumb. We will defend our struggle against all injustices with humanity, resolve, our honour and our good name.’
KILIÇDAROĞLU SENDS SALUTATIONS TO NURİYE AND SEMİH
Sending his salutations to educationalists Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça, who are spending the 104^th day of their hunger strike in prison having embarked on resistance following their expulsion under decrees with the force of law, he said the following:
The two educationalists went on hunger strike in Ankara. They had pieces of paper in their hands, saying, ‘We want our jobs back.’ How dare you hold a hunger strike! They did not pull any punches. They threw them in jail. We send our salutations to both of them from here.
GROUP SPEECH AT A HEIGHT OF 1570 METRES

CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu made his group speech at Çamlıdere locality 37 kilometres from Bolu’s Gerede sub-province. Holding the well-attended group meeting at a height of 1570 metres, Kılıçdaroğlu's speech lasted for thirty minutes.
 
CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu made his speech at Çamlıdere locality from a platform set up in an open space at the roadside. A large banner reading ‘justice’ and a picture of Atatürk were placed behind the platform. Kılıçdaroğlu approached the place from which he was to speak to rapturous applause from MPs and march participants.

SILENCE FOR HASAN TATLI

It was noticeable that on his coat collar CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu was sporting a photograph of Hasan Tatlı, who lost his life following a heart attack he suffered on Sunday’s march. The group meeting started with the holding of a minute’s silence for Hasan Tatlı.

‘YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE’ BANNER

Slogans of ‘justice’ were shouted from time to time during the speech by Kılıçdaroğlu, having mounted the rostrum to applause. Meanwhile, a group of CHP Youth Wing members unfurled a large banner reading, ‘You will never walk alone.’ The CHP leader’s wife Selvi Kılıçdaroğlu also sat right in front of her husband and listened.
 
CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu’s speech lasted for thirty minutes. A half-hour break was held after the speech, and then the group set off on the march once more.
 
SURPRISE BIRTHDAY FOR ALTAN ÖYMEN
 
After the march had been underway for about an hour, it was also joined by the CHP’s former General Chair and journalist Altan Öymen. Öymen and Kılıçdaroğlu, having exchanged greetings, walked side by side.
 
Having covered around six kilometres, the group took a midday break at Çamlıdere locality. CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu went to his caravan here to rest. Meanwhile, it was announced by CHP Deputy General Chair Veli Ağbaba from the party bus that it was Altan Öymen's birthday that day. The CHP MPs and party members marked Öymen's birthday with applause.
 
ÖYMEN: I HAVE EMBARKED ON MY 85^TH YEAR

Altan Öymen, signing the Justice March Journal, gave a statement to members of the press about the birthday surprise he had been given. Öymen said, ‘Out of politeness, nobody is particularly asking about my age, but I have embarked on my 85^th year today. I am very happy about today because this opportunity has brought me among this community of friends.’

‘AT THE END OF THIS ROAD, GOD WILLING, I BELIEVE THAT DEMOCRACY WILL COME TO TURKEY’

Öymen, also commenting on the Justice March, recalled Article 34 of the Constitution and said, ‘What is involved here is everyone exercising their right to demonstrate and march. I congratulate all friends who have joined in here. At the end of this road, God willing, I believe that democracy will come to Turkey.’
 
At the same time, gendarmerie teams took extensive security measures along the way and ensured that the march passed off securely. Those joining the procession along the way demonstrated their affection for Kılıçdaroğlu.