Pro-Palestine march gathered over half a million people on Galata Bridge in Istanbul

(Patria) - Around 520,000 people gathered early on New Year's Day on Istanbul's Galata Bridge for a massive march in support of Palestine, organized by the Alliance for Humanity and the National Will Platform, with the participation of around 400 civil society organizations.

Participants gathered after morning prayers in Istanbul's largest mosques, carrying Turkish and Palestinian flags, and walked towards Galata Bridge, where the program began at 8:30 AM. Despite the cold weather, the turnout was extremely high, with enhanced security measures.

Ministers, high-ranking officials, as well as representatives of Turkey's largest sports clubs – Besiktas, Galatasaray, Trabzonspor, and Fenerbahce, who publicly expressed their support for Palestine – attended the march.

During his address, Bilal Erdogan emphasized that over 70,000 civilians have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, including at least 20,000 children, highlighting the importance of collective prayer and unity of the people.

TUGVA President Ibrahim Besinci stated that Galata Bridge has become a "tribune of conscience," citing the scale of destruction in Gaza, including thousands of killed families, mass amputations, and detentions.

The program included musical performances, prayers for Palestine, and the art installation "Roots," symbolizing cultural resistance and remembrance of the destruction in Gaza.