Istanbul’s Yenikapi meeting area by the Marmara Sea waterfront in Istanbul’s European side is a sea of red as millions of flag-waving Turks gather for a “Democracy and Martyrs’ Rally,” meant to mark the end of pro-democracy demonstrations following a failed coup.
Religious leaders and two of Turkey’s three opposition parties are attending the event, aimed to represent Turkish unity and billed as a cross-party event.
Turks wave flags of their country as they attend a rally in Istanbul, Sunday, August 7, 2016. (AP/Emrah Gurel)
A 60-meter (200-foot) stage has been set up for the event, framed by two platforms and draped with massive national flags and banners depicting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkey’s founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. A roll call of those who died opposing the coup is read out as the event begins.
Crowds formed hours before the official start of the rally on Sunday afternoon, with people braving scorching temperatures as they wait to hear speeches from Erdogan and Turkey’s top political leadership. Construction cranes suspend giant Turkish flags beside the meeting area, while flag-draped boats and yachts zip back and forth along the water.
Nearly 15,000 police are providing security at the event. Anti-aircraft batteries are also set up at the event grounds, while two helicopters circle overhead.
The war with Iran has been draining for all of us in Israel. But when I heard about a high casualty incident – ballistic missile impacts in Arad and Dimona that left nearly 200 people wounded – I drank a cup of coffee, packed a bag, and headed south.
There, I spoke with Shilgit, the head of an after-school program for underprivileged youth. Standing outside her destroyed center, Shilgit said it was a miracle that no children were hurt and spoke about the community coming together in the hours since.
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From the Liveblog of
Sunday, August 7, 2016
