MORE THAN 1 MLN PEOPLE TAKE PART IN RALLY OF SUPPORTERS OF SECULAR
ORDER IN TURKEY
ISMIR, MAY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. On May 13, hundreds of thousands of people
took to the streets in the Turkish city of Ismir in defence of secular
order.
According to Turkish sources, in spite of the explosion, which took
place on May 12 at one of Ismir’s markets, in consequence of which 1
person died and 17 were injured, people from various regions of Turkey
took part in the rally organized in Gundogdu square. Their total
number exceeded 1 mln (according to some sources, 1.5 mln).
The demonstrants hoisted the Turkish flag and posters with the image
of Ataturk, voicing appeals of Justice and Development ruling party,
appeals against Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan: "Turkey is a secular
state and will remain such," "Neither U.S., nor EU, only independent
Turkey," etc.
Over 200 policemen watched the process of rally. No extraordinary
incident happened, except 300-400 cases of fainting due to hot
weather.