The “Democracy and Martyrs’ Rally”, has been described as the biggest and most crowded political gathering in Turkish political history. The rally took place on August 7th, August 2016 at Istanbul’s Yenikapı Square gathering people from different parts of Istanbul and Turkey at large. Dubbed the “Democracy and Martyrs’ Rally” in response to the late 15th July 2016 failed coup attempt, it was designed to represent the unity of Turkey as one nation.
Thousands of people have been gathering in squares and streets around the country since July 15, when a faction of the Turkish military attempted to seize control of the country. Due to forces loyal to the incumbent President as well as efforts of thousands of Turkish citizens who took to the streets on that night, the attempted coup quashed.
The massive rally to retain democracy and peace in the country resulted in the President, Prime Minister and two main opposition leaders uniting against the coup attempt. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, as well as the main opposition Republican People’s Party leader Kemal Kilicdaroğlu and Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahçeli were present at the rally.
Erdogan had earlier announced that the rally was billed as a cross-party event representing Turkish unity. He urged those attending the rally to bring with them only the Turkish flag instead of the party banners. Consequently, the Yenikapı meeting area was transformed into a sea of red and white representative of the Turkish flag.
The event began with a moment of silence for the 270 people who were lost their lives while opposing the coup. This was followed by the Turkish national anthem and a recitation of prayers. Republican People’s Party leader Kilicdaroğlu and Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahçeli then addressed the rally before handing the stage to Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım and later on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The event was simultaneously broadcast on giant screens in different provinces of Turkey while those in the major cities gathered together to watch the rally.
The event was simultaneously broadcast on giant screens in all Turkey’s provinces, and crowds of thousands gathered to watch in the major cities.
Born and raised in Istanbul where I’m a medical student at YeditepeUniversity.