PodcastTimes Square becomes scene of propaganda war between Turkey, Gülenists
New York's Times Square has become the scene of a propaganda war between Turkey and the Gülen network, as both sides place giant ads calling for each other to be stopped.
Times Square has become the scene of a propaganda war between Turkey and the movement of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, with both sides calling for each other to be stopped.
The ad reading "Stop Gülen" was placed by the Turkish-American society in the U.S., state-run Anadolu Agency reported on March 14, adding that the ad shared details of the July 15, 2016 failed coup attempt, which is widely believed to have orchestrated by Gülenists - a friend-turned-foe of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
The ad noted that Gülen lives in Pennslyvania and that he is responsible for the deaths of 251 people during the botched coup.
The Turkish-American community's move comes after the AKP slammed Gülenists for placing an ad calling for Erdoğan to be stopped. The ad was placed by a group called Advocates of Silenced Turkey, which claims to be committed to "give a voice to all people oppressed in Turkey." In addition to the "Stop Erdoğan" ad, they have called for an end to femicides in Turkey, as well as drawing attention to the fact that scores of women and children are imprisoned. The group's website is currently banned in Turkey and their ads were seen to be praised by staunch supporters of Gülen.