Turks flock to streets to mark foiled coup anniversary

ISTANBUL

People are seen marching while carrying Turkish flags in Istanbul's Bağcılar - AA photo

Turks have flocked to the streets to mark the anniversary of the July 15, 2016, failed coup attempt, widely believed to have been orchestrated by the followers of the U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen. 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has previously called on citizens in all 81 provinces of Turkey to participate in “democracy watches.”

People started to gather in squares and march on streets on July 14, a day before “July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day.”

A march called “Resistance and Revival” was organized in Istanbul’s Esenler district with the participation of thousands of people carrying a 2016-meter-long Turkish flag. 

Thousands of people were also on the streets in Istanbul’s Bağcılar district. The people gathered on seven spots and marched until Kirazlı Metro Station to attend an event organized by Bağcılar Municipality. 

Commemorations were also held in many other districts, including Kadıköy, Gaziosmanpaşa, Küçükçekmece and Çengelköy. 

A “National Unity March” was organized by Gaziosmanpaşa Municipality with the attendance of representatives of political parties and families of those killed or wounded during the thwarted coup. 

A total of 250 people were killed and 2,193 people were wounded during the foiled attempt. 

The commemoration events all around the country were launched with a special session in the parliament’s general assembly at 1:00 p.m. in Ankara.

The democracy watches will last until midnight of July 16.