As the 13th anniversary of Feb. 28 approaches, NGOs and other civil society groups are finalizing preparations to mark the date, designating the themes and messages they will emphasize during this year’s protests. The biggest protest will be co-hosted by the 70 Million Steps Coalition and the Civil Solidarity Platform. The groups are planning a march on Sunday beginning in Beyoğlu’s Tünel district and ending in Taksim Square, where statements will be read and a protest rally held.Those at the front of the group of marchers will hold a sign that says “Early finale: the end of 1,000 years,” a reference to the words of Hüseyin Kıvrıkoğlu -- the chief of General Staff during the coup -- who had said, “Feb. 28 will last 1,000 years.” The 70 Million Steps Coalition describes the coup d’état as “the world’s most shameful postmodern coup, realized through the cooperation of the military, media, high courts and so-called NGOs that actually have links to the military.”
The call for participation in the march reads in part: “To those who say Feb. 28 will last 1,000 years, to those who plant bombs underneath the ground to be detonated underneath citizens in order for it to last 1,000 years, to those who prepare devious plans for it to last 1,000 years, to those who disregard the last remnants of the law and conduct judicial coups so it can last 1,000 years, to those who even steal points from students on university admissions exams so it can last 1,000 years: it is time to say that Feb. 28 will not last 1,000 years! Sorry, but we will no longer take this insanity of yours.”
