• The Republican People’s Party (CHP) has called for a protest at Halaskargazi Street, near the Cevahir shopping mall in Istanbul’s Sisli district at 20:30 (local time) on October 8. 
• The protest is intended to mark the 200th day since the “March 19 coup,” to denounce government actions perceived as suppressing free expression, and to demand the release of all political prisoners, along with broader calls for democracy, the rule of law, and civil rights. 

The latest protest commemorates the 200th day since the arrest of former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and other individuals on corruption charges on March 19. The protest is part of CHP’s ongoing weekly demonstrations in response to its claims of a government-led crackdown targeting party members and leadership. FORECAST: Given the event’s symbolic nature as well as precedent, the slated protest rally is likely to draw a footfall in the high hundreds to low thousands and is expected to be largely peaceful. However, due to heightened sentiment surrounding the symbolic date, scuffles between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out. Traffic disruptions are also likely in the vicinity of Sisli’s Halaskargazi Street from the early evening hours of October 8. 

Those operating or residing in Istanbul’s Sisli on October 8 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance near Halaskargazi street due to the slated rally and the associated risk of localized unrest.