Municipality names site of Ankara bombings ‘Democracy Square’

ANKARA

DHA photo

The Ankara Metropolitan Municipality has named the crossroads at the heart of the capital city where nearly 100 people lost their lives in a suicide bombing attack “Democracy Square.”

At a municipal council meeting held late on Oct. 15, the mayor’s office proposed namıng the square near Ankara’s main railway station where at least 99 people were killed on Oct. 10 “Democracy Square.”

Members of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) offered to name it “Peace Square,” while members of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) agreed with the proposal by Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Melih Gökçek’s office. Eventually, the municipal council agreed to name the square “Democracy Square” by a majority vote.

The square near Ankara’s Ulus neighborhood hadn’t had a formal name prior to the decision.