Newroz celebrations coincided with expanding nationwide protests over İmamoğlu's detention. President Erdoğan lit the Newroz fire and proposed declaring March 21 an official "brotherhood festival," submitting this to parliament while simultaneously warning against "street disorder."
The Istanbul Bar Association's management was removed from office by court order. CHP announced an extraordinary congress to preempt potential government intervention in the party. Protest bans were implemented in multiple cities including Ankara and İzmir.
İmamoğlu completed his testimony, reportedly rejecting all charges while telling municipal employees he would continue fighting against "those violating people's rights." Thousands of university students marched from Beyazıt to Saraçhane despite road closures.
By evening, Interior Minister Yerlikaya announced 97 protesters had been detained nationwide. An armed attack on the Iraqi Consulate in Istanbul resulted in two arrests.