12 non-governmental organizations on Monday have called on Turkish people from all walks of life to come to Sıhhiye Square on September 17 and say 'no' to terrorism and 'yes' to brotherhood.
Holding a joint press conference with leaders of other NGOs and trade bodies, Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu, the chairman of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity (TOBB) said that the participants would meet at Ankara's Sıhhiye Square and walk to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).
Hisarcıklıoğlu underscored that participants should leave out all symbols aside, including flags of parties and NGOs and only carry Turkish flags.
"We will say no to terrorism, yes to brotherhood," Hisarcıklıoğlu said, underscoring that the protest aims to bring everyone together as a nation.
"We are one as a nation, with our 78 million citizens, regardless of our ethnicity, identity, and beliefs" Hisarcıklıoğlu said, and added that the common ground for everyone is democracy, the rule of law and respect for human dignity.
He highlighted that democracy does not only mean rights and freedoms, but it also entails having responsibility, and noted that the NGOs have mobilized with this sense of responsibility in mind and display their stance.
NGOs which are participating in the initiative include TOBB, Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD), Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MÜSİAD), and others.
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