Huge rally for Turkish secularism
The protesters are concerned that the ruling party's(AK Party) candidate for the post remains loyal to his Islamic roots.
The candidate, Abdullah Gul, earlier said he would not quit despite growing criticism from opponents and the army.
Mr Gul failed to win election in a first round parliamentary vote which opponents say was unconstitutional.
Opposition MPs boycotted the vote. They are also challenging its validity in the Constitutional Court.
An army statement on Friday accused the government of tolerating radical Islam and vowed to defend secularism.
The problem is that if he is elected, the AK party will control the presidency, the government and parliament.
Sunday's "Republican Meeting", planned by dozens of non-governmental organisations, took place in the city's Caglayan Square.
The candidate, Abdullah Gul, earlier said he would not quit despite growing criticism from opponents and the army.
Mr Gul failed to win election in a first round parliamentary vote which opponents say was unconstitutional.
Opposition MPs boycotted the vote. They are also challenging its validity in the Constitutional Court.
An army statement on Friday accused the government of tolerating radical Islam and vowed to defend secularism.
The problem is that if he is elected, the AK party will control the presidency, the government and parliament.
Sunday's "Republican Meeting", planned by dozens of non-governmental organisations, took place in the city's Caglayan Square.
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