Hundreds Gather in Manisa to Defend the Gediz River

On 7 June 2026, a large environmental rally dubbed the “Büyük Gediz Buluşması” took place in Manisa, Turkey. Hundreds of volunteers, citizens, and representatives of local NGOs marched from the Saruhanbey Mosque to the Hundred‑Year Square, carrying signs and chanting in support of protecting the Gediz River. Local officials – including the mayors of Manisa, Yunusemre, Alaşehir, Turgutlu and Karabağlar – and national parliamentarians such as Ahmet Vehbi Bakırlıoğlu and İbrahim Akın addressed the crowd, highlighting water‑quality problems in the Gediz basin and urging coordinated action between municipalities, NGOs and the public. The event concluded with a concert by musician Niyazi Koyunco, adding a cultural dimension to the activism.

The rally was organized in partnership with the Manisa Metropolitan Municipality, several district municipalities, the Manisa Environmental Platform, the Manisa Labor, Democracy and Peace Platform and the Rivers Brotherhood organization, reflecting a broad civic coalition focused on preserving the river for future generations.