Özgür Özel: We will not surrender to fear or terror

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel attended a torchlight procession organized by the Metropolitan Municipality in his hometown of Manisa, where he arrived following the 101st-anniversary celebrations of the Republic in Ankara. Walking alongside his wife, Didem Özel, and the Manisa protocol, Özel said in his statement, "We arrived this evening and are in our hometown. We were at the ceremonies in Ankara during the day. Republic Day is being celebrated with great enthusiasm in Manisa. I had made a call to all our citizens two days ago.

Terror is trying to intimidate us, trying to scare us. The best response to terror is such high participation in this holiday. Today, hundreds of thousands became millions and flowed to Anıtkabir in Ankara. Seeing my hometown of Manisa like this is very gratifying for me.

Both the enemies of this country abroad and the enemies of the republic who do not show the necessary respect for Atatürk's legacy received the best answer from the nation today. Turkey is a very strong state. Turkey will not collapse; it stands tall. We will not surrender to fear or terror," he said.

Özel then proceeded with the Manisa protocol to the Fazıl Say and Serenad Bağcan concert to be held at Republic Square.