section_path: Protests/22 March
section_name: 22 March
paragraph_text: 22 March
  
  The continuation of İmamoğlu's detention further fueled anti-government mobilizations. The protests were driven by opposition parties, labor unions, civil rights groups, and other citizens, expressing their dissatisfaction with what they considered authoritarian actions by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan 's government. These protests had been building, but 22 March marked their peak, with demonstrators demanding İmamoğlu's release and calling for an end to government measures they deemed undemocratic.
  
  Istanbul became the epicenter of large-scale protests, with gatherings erupting in districts such as Saraçhane, Beşiktaş, Kadıköy, and Şişli. However, Taksim Square, a historically significant site, was blockaded by heavy police presence, preventing demonstrations there. Despite this, protesters in other areas carried banners and chanted slogans like " Susma, sustukça, sıra sana gelecek! " ("Don't stay quiet, the longer you do, it will be your turn!"), " Hükümet istifa! " ("Government, resign!"), and " Hak, hukuk, adalet! " ("Right, law, justice!"), while others participated by banging pots and pans from their balconies, reminiscent of the 2013 Gezi Park protests Riot police, reinforced by armored vehicles and TOMA water cannon trucks, took up defensive positions in the city.
  
  Despite the largely peaceful nature of the protests, tensions escalated when security forces attempted to disperse the crowds, citing concerns over illegal gatherings and public disorder. The police response was forceful, deploying tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons against protesters who refused to leave. Violent clashes broke out in Bozdoğan Kemeri, where thousands had gathered in defiance of government warnings. Many responded by throwing plastic bottles, chanting slogans, and waving opposition party flags, particularly those of the CHP. In İzmir, videos circulated of police beating up protestors and detaining them while they shouted for help.
  
  Elsewhere in the country, demonstrations took place in Ankara, where crowds and CHP representatives attempted to march to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey to demand justice. Police barricaded major roads, preventing demonstrators from reaching the parliament building, which had been heavily fortified with additional riot units. In İzmir, thousands flooded Lozan Square to begin a march to Alsancak, disregarding the five-day demonstration ban set in place by the Governor of İzmir, waving Turkish flags and chanting pro-democracy slogans.
  
  As the protests intensified, the Turkish Interior Ministry announced that 343 individuals had been detained during overnight clashes. The ministry claimed security forces acted in accordance with public order laws, arguing some demonstrators engaged in "provocative and violent behavior". However, opposition leaders and human rights organizations accused the government of excessive force, noting many arrested were peaceful protesters exercising their constitutional right to free assembly. Forty-one protesters were detained in Ankara's Güvenpark and in an "anti-terror" operation, while 31 others had arrest warrants issued. Of 22 student protesters detained, seven female students were forcibly strip-searched.
  
  The Istanbul Governor's Office announced that entering and leaving Istanbul was restricted, saying that "Individuals, groups and vehicles from the districts of our province or neighboring provinces, who are likely to join illegal actions individually or collectively by using the route of our province, will not be allowed to enter or leave our province".