We are individuals from around the world—most of whom have never met and most likely never will—brought together by a shared concern for democracy and the future of Turkey. Living in different countries and communities, we acted simultaneously, instinctively, and independently in response to the March 19, 2025 arrest of Istanbul’s elected mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu.

Following March 19, spontaneous protests emerged across cities worldwide, organized by complete strangers driven by a common instinct: the belief that democracy in Turkey was under threat and that action was necessary, no matter where we lived. Those who came together in Los Angeles issued a call on social media, inviting others who had organized protests elsewhere to send photographs documenting these events. In just under a month, these images formed the foundation of Hak Hukuk Adalet, an exhibition opening on May 3–4, 2025, during the Brewery Artwalk in Los Angeles.

Our only common denominator is our shared stand: protesting the unjust arrest of Istanbul’s mayor and the annulment of his college degree in an attempt to block his eligibility for the Turkish presidency. We, the people, stand for democracy, the rule of law, and the right of citizens to choose their leaders freely. We oppose the use of courts, police powers, and administrative tactics to silence political opposition and dismantle democratic institutions.
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We live across the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Czechia, Malta, Australia, and Türkiye.