- Title: Thousands of secularists commemorate Turkey's founder on national holiday
- Date: 19th May 2016
- Summary: VARIOUS OF DEMONSTRATORS CHANTING AND CARRYING TORCHES VARIOUS OF LEADER OF MAIN OPPOSITION, REPUBLICAN PEOPLES' PARTY (CHP), KEMAL KILICDAROGLU WALKING AMONG DEMONSTRATORS VARIOUS OF DEMONSTRATORS WALKING TO ANITKABIR, TOMB OF ATATURK, FOUNDER OF MODERN TURKEY VIEW OF ANITKABIR
- Embargoed: 3rd June 2016 13:43
- Keywords: Turkey march youth and sports day secularists main opposition CHP Ataturk
- Location: ANKARA, TURKEY
- City: ANKARA, TURKEY
- Country: Turkey
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0044IH56BR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Thousands of secularists marched to Ataturk's mausoleum, Anitkabir, on Turkey's Youth and Sports Day Thursday (May 19), despite warnings about possible Islamic State attacks from Turkish police.
State media said that Turkish police issued a nationwide warning about the possible attacks on the national holiday, with military facilities seen as targets after the army stepped up attacks on the militants in Syria.
Both Islamic State (IS) and Kurdish militants have staged bomb attacks in Turkey in recent months, fuelling concern about the spillover of conflict from its southern neighbour.
But demonstrators appeared defiant.
"I am not afraid. I never was and I never will be. I don't care if bombs explode after we lose the republic," said demonstrator Selma Demirel.
"This is a matter of life. We will never surrender and leave the republic to vulgar people (Islamic State militants)," said demonstrator Naci Celik.
The police warning, issued to all 81 provincial police forces on Tuesday (May 17), said Islamic State "viewed Turkish soldiers and police as infidels and fighting and killing them as permissible", state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
It called for a reassessment of security measures for Thursday's celebrations, when Turks commemorate the country's founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
The armed forces said in a statement the mausoleum would remain open on Thursday, when traditionally thousands of people visit and pay their respects. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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