Plane flies banner in US to raise awareness on Türkiye's July 15 defeated coup attempt

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - A plane took to the skies over New York and Pennsylvania this past weekend to raise awareness about the July 15, 2016 defeated coup attempt in Türkiye.

On Saturday, it flew over New York City, and on Sunday, it made its way over Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, where Fethullah Gulen, the leader of the FETO terror group, which is responsible for the defeated coup, currently resides.

The banner attached to the plane carried a powerful message: "The perpetrator of the deaths of 253 civilians on July 15, 2016 lives far closer than you realize."

In addition, two billboard trucks made a day-long tour through the streets of Saylorsburg, displaying a sign reading "Victory of Democracy" as well as a Turkish flag and photos from the night of the coup attempt.

Meanwhile, at a commemoration ceremony in Times Square on Saturday, a message featuring Victory of Democracy was displayed on a digital board adorned with Turkish flags. Additionally, a concert was held in the area where 253 shoes were exhibited, symbolizing those who were killed during the July 15 coup attempt.

The events aimed to mark the seventh anniversary of the attempted coup.

July 15 is observed every year in Türkiye as Democracy and National Unity Day.

FETO and its US-based leader Fethullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, in which 252 people were killed and 2,734 wounded.

Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

Since 1999, Gulen has lived in self-exile in the US near Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania.

*Serife Cetin in New York contributed to the story