Carson City Council Unanimouly Rejects Ataturk Monument Measure

Carson City Council delieberates measure to erect Ataturk Statue

CARSON, Calif.—The City Council of City of Carson voted unanimously on Wednesday to reject a measure to erect a monument to Kemal Ataturk in the city, after lengthy debate during the regular city council session.

Hundreds of Armenian-Americans, led by the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region flocked to the Carson City Hall, where a capacity crowd in the council chamber spilled outside to protest the measure.

Speaking against the measure were Glendale Mayor Zareh Sinanian, Montebello Mayor Jack Hadjinian, Glendale City Clerk Ardashes “Ardy” Kassakhian, Professor Levon Marashlian and the Vice Chairman of the American Hellenic Council Aris Anagnos.

Armenian press, including Asbarez, was not allowed to enter the City Council chamber. However, CNN Turk and ABC7 were allowed to cover the proceedings from inside the chamber.

Asbarez will have detailed coverage of the meeting in later editions.