Atatürk Memorial Proposal Rejected In Los Angeles

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 Doğan news agency, Tansu also said the decision will draw the representatives of both nations further apart.

(Cihan/Today's Zaman)