On August 19, the AKP regime usurped the HDP-run metropolitan municipalities of Amed (Diyarbakır), Mardin and Van by removing the democratically elected mayors and appointing trustees in their place.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) has organised Democracy Vigil in various cities in protest at the AKP regime’s seizure of the HDP municipalities, mainly in the three affected cities.

The Istanbul version of the Democracy Vigil was set to take place at the Republic City Square in Esenyurt district. The area was surrounded by the police citing a governorate ban on meetings and demonstrations at the square.

While deputies continued their efforts for a dialogue, police attacked the crowd with tear gas and rubber bullets. Many people were taken into custody in the crackdown.