Two days after Diyarbakır, Van and Mardin metropolitan co-mayors elected under Peoples' Democratic Party HDP have been dismissed to be replaced by governors that were appointed as trustees in their stead, protests continue to rock Turkey. Hundreds across the country have been detained as calls for protest grow. Government representatives announced that the mayors were dismissed due to links to terrorist organizations, however not following legal procedure but directly issuing dismissal orders. Criticism from within AKP can be heard due to police's harsh treatment of protestors.

THREE METROPOLISES UNDER TENSION

GOVERNORSHIPS DECLARE PROTEST BAN

Mersin Governorship banned the press manifestation against dismissal of elected HDP mayors at 6 pm on Peace Square. The press conference was held at DISK union local headquarters; CHP local chair announced disturbance felt through dismissals. Police intervened in protest in Mersin that was to be held against appointment of trustees instead of elected HDP co-mayors in Diyarbakır, Van and Mardin. Muş Governorship banned all protests, rallies, distribution of flyers, putting up banners, and all kinds of other activist actions until September 4. Protest took place in Muğla's touristic city Bodrum against appointment of trustee mayors instead of elected HDP co-mayors; during the press manifestation police intervened, detaining at least 15. Police intervened harshly against protest in Muğla's touristic city Datça on Republic Square; 21 have been detained. Video footage of police shooting rubber bullets from short distance against protestors in Istanbul's Kadıköy in August 20's protest revealed. [embed]https://twitter.com/dokuz8_EN/status/1164269774295228416[/embed] Izmir Bar Association opened a court case against protest ban declared by Izmir Governorship. Human Rights Association Adana branch opened court case against Adana Governorship's ban on protests in the city requesting cancellation of the ban.

OPPOSITION CRITICISM SPREADS

IYI Party spokesperson Yavuz Ağıralioğlu, "it is solely the government's responsibility to explain how certain people have first been given clearance to participate in elections, won and were given the mandate only to be dismissed 4 months later." Saadet Party chair Karamollaoğlu reacted against dismissal of elected HDP co-mayors, "through appointment of trustees both laws and the people's will have been ignored." CHP vice chair Yıldırım Kaya, "appointing trustees instead of people's elected officials is to appoint trustees instead of democracy. I call upon all people that have conscience, reclaim democracy, rights, laws and justice all together." Leader of the Labour Party in the UK, Jeremy Corbyn reacted against dismissal of elected mayors and appointment of trustees in their stead, calling for Turkey to respect rule of law and human rights. Read: "Adana Labor and Democracy Forces: Ugly Truth Behind Appointed Trustees has been Revealed"