A vigil was held in Bingöl on ‘July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day’

In Bingöl, just like in the whole country, a vigil was held on the 8th anniversary of the treacherous coup attempt, known as the ‘July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day’.

Within the framework of the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day events, the provincial protocol and citizens in Bingöl, like in the whole country, gathered in front of Hacı Hıdır Mosque to hold a democracy vigil and walked along Genç Street. The provincial protocol and citizens arrived at the democracy square holding Turkish flags.

After a moment of silence and the National Anthem, the Quran was recited for the martyrs. Following President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s message, Governor Ahmet Hamdi Usta made a speech on the significance of the day.

Governor Usta, stating that the FETÖ members underestimated the courage of the nation, said, ‘Just a few years ago, on July 15, 2016, a group of FETÖ terrorists, who had infiltrated with the resources of this nation, attempted a coup to strike our independence and future, to divide and fragment Turkey, to incite a civil war in the country, to pit social groups against each other, and to make Turkey a safe haven for terrorist organizations and open to international intervention. The treacherous FETÖ members, who appeared to be righteous and deceived the conservative Anatolian people by saying ‘Allah’, had underestimated one thing. The FETÖ traitors could not calculate the noble stance of this nation, the courage, foresight, unity and solidarity of this nation; in short, they could not calculate the specific gravity of this nation. They could not anticipate President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s instruction to ‘occupy the streets, squares, and bridges’, nor the call of political party representatives and opinion leaders to invite citizens to the squares.’ He continued, ‘Like the brave people of Bingöl who took to the streets, avenues, and squares, our entire nation wrote an unforgettable epic that night; for the sake of not letting the call to prayer cease and the flags fall, we sacrificed 252 martyrs, and 2,194 of our citizens were wounded. That night, with the help of the architect who mended the skies, it passed into our history as ‘The Victory of the Nation’; as the defeat of darkness, betrayal, collaboration, and disgrace.’

President Arıkan said, ‘It was a very important, unforgettable night when morning dawned’

Bingöl Mayor Erdal Arıkan said, ‘It was a very important, unforgettable night when morning dawned with the great support of our people, although a great blow was attempted against democracy on the night of July 15. I greet our great nation, who put forth their lives, property, and hearts on that night, with great respect and love. Today is the anniversary of a day when betrayal was followed by salvation and a very beautiful outcome. July 15 is not only the repulsion of a coup attempt but also a symbol of the determination of a nation to uphold its will and independence.’

Pınar Hatısaru, one of the citizens participating in the event, said, ‘We have been in the squares for 8 years, and we will continue to be in the squares for many more years. I pray that God will not give opportunities to traitors from now on and that our unity and togetherness will always remain.’

In addition to Governor Usta, Mayor Erdal Arıkan, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Bilgihan Yeşilyurt, Provincial Police Chief Şükrü Orhan, Chief Prosecutor Abdullah Sert, BİŞHAK President Vahap Baysal, July 15 veterans Onur Asutay and Mehmet Akif Özdemir, institution officials, and citizens attended the program.