Great Interest in Democracy Watch in Edremit

The ‘July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day’ events held in the district of Edremit in Balıkesir under the coordination of the Edremit District Governorship were carried out with intense participation. Within the framework of the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day commemoration events, the people of Edremit came together with a single heart for the victory of the nation and democracy. The commemoration events, which started with a democracy vigil in Cumhuriyet Square at 8:00 p.m., continued with a Democracy and Martyrs commemoration walk from Şehit Hamdibey Square to Cumhuriyet Square at 10:30 p.m. The program of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day started in Cumhuriyet Square with a minute of silence and the recitation of the National Anthem, where documentaries about July 15 and videos depicting the events of that night were shown to the citizens gathered in the square. After the recitation of the Quran and poems by the Edremit District Mufti, addressing the public, Edremit District Governor Ahmet Odabaş expressed his great honor and pride to be present with the people of Edremit on the 8th anniversary of thwarting the treacherous coup attempt of July 15, stating, “Welcome to our ‘July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day Commemoration’ program that we carry out to commemorate the democracy heroes for the victory of the nation, democracy, independence, and the crescent.” Governor Odabaş, emphasizing that the country faced an unparalleled betrayal on July 15, 2016, said, “That night, our noble nation, who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the homeland, flag, national unity, and solidarity, wrote a glorious epic for the victory of the crescent. Just as our National Poet Mehmet Akif said, ‘They are lying down, shot in the forehead, For the sake of a crescent, oh Lord, what suns are setting! It should not be forgotten that history is full of lessons. And it should also not be forgotten that these ancient lands have seen many traitors. But our people, with their sagacity and faith-filled chests, buried them all in the dusty shelves of history. As much as writing history, presenting the written history correctly is also important. Following the path of our ancestors who conquered Constantinople and opened and closed an era, this noble nation has written many epics in Çanakkale, Dumlupınar,” he said. Addressing the youth as a nation that writes history, Governor Odabaş said, “I want to address the youth here and remind that there is no other ‘Turkey.’ We must strengthen our unity and solidarity even more, we must protect our homeland and nation to prevent such betrayals from happening again. In the heroic struggle given on the night of July 15, young people have always been at the forefront. This has further strengthened the trust of our country in the youth. With these feelings and thoughts, I commemorate with infinite mercy, gratitude, and thanksgiving our heroes who attained the honor of martyrdom and veteranhood from millions of our citizens who rebelled against the treacherous coup perpetrators on the night of July 15, the Honorable Turkish Armed Forces, and the Heroic Police Force, and I wish our nation a happy July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, and I offer my love and respect.” After Governor Odabaş’s speech, the enthusiastic crowd in Cumhuriyet Square sang songs in unison. Following the recitation of poems and a video presentation on Democracy Heroes, a prayer was made by the District Mufti Sıddık Durmuş. At 00:13, as in the whole country, Salas were recited from all mosques in Edremit. The enthusiastic Democracy Vigil of the citizens in Cumhuriyet Square in Edremit ended with a ceremony and a flag festival attended by both the protocol and the public. Among those who participated in the July 15 Martyrs Commemoration, Democracy and National Unity Day program were District Governor Ahmet Odabaş, Edremit Garrison Commander Acting Colonel Ismail İbiş, Chief Public Prosecutor of the Republic Medet Akcan, Acting Mayor of Edremit Nizam Aksoy, District Chief of Police Burak Lehimer, Gendarmerie Commander Major Serkan Özdemir, District Director of National Education Yaşar Ciğer, Koca Seyit Airport Director Taner Ödemi, district protocol members, veterans, chamber presidents, representatives of political parties and NGOs, and citizens.