ANKARA: Ataturk memorial proposal rejected in Los Angeles

Cihan News Agency (CNA), Turkey
March 6, 2015 Friday

Atatürk memorial proposal rejected in Los Angeles

�°STANBUL (C�°HAN)- A proposal to build a monument to the founder of the
Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, in Los Angeles’s
International Sculpture Park was rejected by the Carson City Council,
under pressure from the Armenian diaspora.

Several media outlets reported that, following an hours-long debate on
March 4, the Carson City Council voted unanimously to oppose the
construction of the statue. The decision was made based on votes
influenced by community organizations and activists, who voiced
concerns during a public comment session. A total of 298 people sought
to speak in opposition to the monument while 101 were present to speak
in favor of the monument’s construction. Only six from each side were
afforded the opportunity to comment, according to media sources.

Among the council members was Carson Mayor Jim Dear. Mentioning that
he is a professor of history, Dear claimed in a statement during the
meeting that Turks perpetrated a “genocide” against the Armenians. As
the meeting was under the scrutiny of California’s Armenian diaspora,
representatives were present, offering harsh sentiments towards
Atatürk and the Turkish people, and stressing that a memorial to
Atatürk might dishonor Los Angeles. After the vote ended with a
rejection to the proposal, several Armenian members of the public
expressed their joy with shrieks of delight. Some of them had
reportedly verbally harassed some of the Turks attending the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, the Turkish consul general in Los Angeles,
Raife Gülru Gezer, mentioned Atatürk’s world-embracing vision and told
the attendees about his personality that had served as an example to
scores of world leaders. Gezer’s speech was protested by Armenian
attendees as they stood up and turned their back to the council’s
tribune.

After the meeting, Burcu Tansu, the head of the Association of Turkish
Americans of Southern California (ATASC), expressed her sorrow over
the decision she believed the Carson City Council made based on
pressure from the Armenian diaspora. Speaking to the DoÃ?Â?an news
agency, Tansu also said the decision will draw the representatives of
both nations further apart.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress