On the 10th anniversary of the treacherous coup attempt, a commemorative march was organized and a democracy watch was held in Mersin.
On the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, a commemoration march was held with the participation of Mersin Governor Atilla Toros, protocol members and citizens. The cortege formed in front of the National Garden and walked to Cumhuriyet Square, following the route of Silifke Street, accompanied by the Janissary Band. The crowd, carrying Turkish flags in their hands, also shouted slogans from time to time. Citizens carried banners reading "Our will, our victory" during the march.
Before the democracy watch in Republic Square, a moment of silence was observed and the National Anthem was sung. After the recitation of the Holy Quran, Provincial Mufti Mustafa Topal prayed for the martyrs. Following the screening of a short film on the stage placed in the square on the occasion of the anniversary of July 15, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's speech on the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day was watched.
Speaking in the program, Mersin Governor Atilla Toros emphasized that the Turkish nation has not compromised on its independence and freedom despite all the difficulties it has faced throughout history, and said, "As a nation, we have seen many storms throughout history. We have faced many betrayals. We have survived many troubles. But we have never bowed down. We have never surrendered. Because this nation has courage in its yeast, faith in its dough, and the love of independence in its soul."
"Centuries have passed, but this nation's love for independence has never changed."
Drawing attention to the spirit of national unity and solidarity that emerged at the turning points of history, Governor Toros said, "Whatever the will that opened the doors of Anatolia with takbirs in Manzikert, it was the spirit that closed the era and opened an era with the conquest of Istanbul. Whatever the faith that said stop to the world's largest armies in Çanakkale, it was the determination that was reborn from the ashes in the War of Independence. And the power that beats in the hearts of the millions who filled the squares on the night of July 15, 10 years ago, is the same." "It was the soul," he said.
Emphasizing that the spirit of unity and solidarity of the Turkish nation has not changed throughout history, Toros said, "Centuries have passed, but this nation's love of independence has never changed. The great truth expressed by the late Mehmet Akif Ersoy in his lines, 'An enemy cannot enter a nation that is divided without entering into it. Hearts can't digest it when they shoot together, the cannon cannot digest it' was once again fleshed out on the night of July 15." - MERSIN