Republic Day celebrated in torchlight processions

Following the government's decision to call off most official ceremonies to mark the 88th anniversary of the republic on October 29 due to the ongoing mourning for victims of a devastating earthquake which occurred in the southern province of Van and resulted in many deaths and injuries, Turkish people organized their own ceremonies in torchlight processions two days ago. As part of celebrations, thousands of people came together at the Guven Park in Ankara and marched to the first Parliament building. The torchlight procession organized in Kirklareli was attended by 8,000 people, who also marched for ten kilometers with Turkish flags in their hands. In Izmir, approximately 2,000 people attended the ceremonies which were organized under leadership of the Republican People's Party (CHP) provincial chairman's office in Izmir. Furthermore, tens of thousands of people organized a torchlight procession starting from the Baghdad Street in Istanbul and pledged loyalty to the Republic. In Denizli, 5,000 people who are also members of the Denizli Democracy Platform carried a 300-meter-long Turkish flag in their march.