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CITY OF CARSON UNANIMOUSLY VOTES AGAINST ATATURK MONUMENT
By MassisPost
Updated: March 5, 2015
CARSON - Voting unanimously, the Carson City Council opposed a
monument on March 4, 2015 commemorating Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in
the city's International Sculpture Garden, which aims to honor world
leaders who have promoted peace during their lifetimes, reported the
Armenian Council of America. (ACA)
"In an unprecedented show of opposition to the proposed monument,
the Armenian American community including the ACA, Armenian National
Committee (ANC) and the Armenian Caucus of the Service Employees
International Union Local 721 (SEIU 721) filled the Council Chamber
to express, in solidarity, their vehement opposition to the project,"
said ACA Chairman Sevak Khatchadorian. "The proposed monument glorifies
Ataturk, a man deemed by historians as a dictator and promoter of
ethnic cleansing of Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, and other minorities;
a movement that provided the basis for the persecution of minorities
in Turkey."
Barry Heads II, representing the office of Assemblymember Mike Gipson,
read a letter written by Assemblymember Gipson and co-authored by
Assemblymembers Atchajian, Gatto, Wilk and Nazarian.
Barry Heads II, representing the office of Assemblymember Mike Gipson,
read a letter written by Assemblymember Gipson and co-authored by
Assemblymembers Atchajian, Gatto, Wilk and Nazarian. "The proposed
moment.... is incredibly insensitive and insulting to the memories of
those who died, and their surviving families," the letter read. "To
erect a statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk ignores the sensitive political
context behind this controversial individual, and goes against the
stance taken by our representative bodies at the state and federal
level. Out of respect for those who perished and the loved ones they
left behind, we voice our opposition."
Speaking on behalf of the Turkish community was Consul Genaral
of Turkey, Raife Gulru Gezer, who listed the names of political
and religious leaders who have praised Ataturk. She continued by
citing names of Armenians who were honored by Ataturk and insisted
that the monument would be commemorating a remarkable leader and
founder of the modern Republic of Turkey. Aris Aganos, founder of
the American Hellenic Council, shared with the Council his memories
of the haunting stories told by family members about the burning of
Smyrna by the Turks.
ACA Chairman Sevak Khatchadorian, along with Armen Sefyan Esq.;
Glendlae City Clerk Ardashes Kasakhian, and Glendale City Mayot
Zareh Sinanian
Other elected officials who voiced their concerns in opposition to the
monument included City of Montebello Mayor Jack Hadjinian, a direct
descendant of the atrocities committed by Ataturk, who told the City
Council that they would be honoring a man who murdered his family if
they voted in favor of the monument. Glendale Mayor Zareh Sinanyan
also revealed historical information about Ataturk as Glendale City
Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian shared an emotional story about his Greek
and Armenian ancestors who both suffered inhumanity under Ataturk's
reign of power.
Both sides of the aisle provided testimony, however only 6 speakers
from each side were allowed to speak due to time constraints and an
overwhelming number of speakers - there were 298 speakers in opposition
to the monument and only 101 in support of the monument.
The Mayor had proposed a motion to move the item to the next Council
Meeting, however Councilmembers Robles and Holmes insisted on voting
for the motion. After speaking to the audience about the importance
of reconciliation and moving forward in unity, Mayor Dear, a history
instructor, expressed that he is a proponent of acknowledging the
Armenian Genocide and that there are revisionists who try to deny
that such an event occurred in history.
"The monument would bring bad notoriety to the City of Carson," said
Councilmember Holmes and continued by stating that city should not
accept the gift.
The Armenian Council of America is a grassroots organization dedicated
to working with all political leaders, offering Armenian related
news, analysis and resources for policymakers, media, students and
activists, advocating issues important to Armenian Americans. The
Armenian Council of America aims to strengthen U.S. - Armenia and U.S.
- Nagorno Karabakh ties, the development of programs promoting
sustainable economic growth and good governance in Armenia, while
promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship.
Letter to Carson City Council by Assemblymembers Gipson, Atchajian,
Gatto, Wilk and Nazarian
http://massispost.com/2015/03/city-of-carson-unanimousily-votes-against-ataturk-monument/
From: Baghdasarian
By MassisPost
Updated: March 5, 2015
CARSON - Voting unanimously, the Carson City Council opposed a
monument on March 4, 2015 commemorating Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in
the city's International Sculpture Garden, which aims to honor world
leaders who have promoted peace during their lifetimes, reported the
Armenian Council of America. (ACA)
"In an unprecedented show of opposition to the proposed monument,
the Armenian American community including the ACA, Armenian National
Committee (ANC) and the Armenian Caucus of the Service Employees
International Union Local 721 (SEIU 721) filled the Council Chamber
to express, in solidarity, their vehement opposition to the project,"
said ACA Chairman Sevak Khatchadorian. "The proposed monument glorifies
Ataturk, a man deemed by historians as a dictator and promoter of
ethnic cleansing of Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, and other minorities;
a movement that provided the basis for the persecution of minorities
in Turkey."
Barry Heads II, representing the office of Assemblymember Mike Gipson,
read a letter written by Assemblymember Gipson and co-authored by
Assemblymembers Atchajian, Gatto, Wilk and Nazarian.
Barry Heads II, representing the office of Assemblymember Mike Gipson,
read a letter written by Assemblymember Gipson and co-authored by
Assemblymembers Atchajian, Gatto, Wilk and Nazarian. "The proposed
moment.... is incredibly insensitive and insulting to the memories of
those who died, and their surviving families," the letter read. "To
erect a statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk ignores the sensitive political
context behind this controversial individual, and goes against the
stance taken by our representative bodies at the state and federal
level. Out of respect for those who perished and the loved ones they
left behind, we voice our opposition."
Speaking on behalf of the Turkish community was Consul Genaral
of Turkey, Raife Gulru Gezer, who listed the names of political
and religious leaders who have praised Ataturk. She continued by
citing names of Armenians who were honored by Ataturk and insisted
that the monument would be commemorating a remarkable leader and
founder of the modern Republic of Turkey. Aris Aganos, founder of
the American Hellenic Council, shared with the Council his memories
of the haunting stories told by family members about the burning of
Smyrna by the Turks.
ACA Chairman Sevak Khatchadorian, along with Armen Sefyan Esq.;
Glendlae City Clerk Ardashes Kasakhian, and Glendale City Mayot
Zareh Sinanian
Other elected officials who voiced their concerns in opposition to the
monument included City of Montebello Mayor Jack Hadjinian, a direct
descendant of the atrocities committed by Ataturk, who told the City
Council that they would be honoring a man who murdered his family if
they voted in favor of the monument. Glendale Mayor Zareh Sinanyan
also revealed historical information about Ataturk as Glendale City
Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian shared an emotional story about his Greek
and Armenian ancestors who both suffered inhumanity under Ataturk's
reign of power.
Both sides of the aisle provided testimony, however only 6 speakers
from each side were allowed to speak due to time constraints and an
overwhelming number of speakers - there were 298 speakers in opposition
to the monument and only 101 in support of the monument.
The Mayor had proposed a motion to move the item to the next Council
Meeting, however Councilmembers Robles and Holmes insisted on voting
for the motion. After speaking to the audience about the importance
of reconciliation and moving forward in unity, Mayor Dear, a history
instructor, expressed that he is a proponent of acknowledging the
Armenian Genocide and that there are revisionists who try to deny
that such an event occurred in history.
"The monument would bring bad notoriety to the City of Carson," said
Councilmember Holmes and continued by stating that city should not
accept the gift.
The Armenian Council of America is a grassroots organization dedicated
to working with all political leaders, offering Armenian related
news, analysis and resources for policymakers, media, students and
activists, advocating issues important to Armenian Americans. The
Armenian Council of America aims to strengthen U.S. - Armenia and U.S.
- Nagorno Karabakh ties, the development of programs promoting
sustainable economic growth and good governance in Armenia, while
promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship.
Letter to Carson City Council by Assemblymembers Gipson, Atchajian,
Gatto, Wilk and Nazarian
http://massispost.com/2015/03/city-of-carson-unanimousily-votes-against-ataturk-monument/
From: Baghdasarian