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ANKARA: Ataturk memorial proposal rejected in Los Angeles

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  • 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
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