Will Giresun's name change? Record support for major campaign

Ali Kara, President of the Giresun Union of Chambers of Tradesmen and Craftsmen, stated that the petition campaign launched with the demand that Giresun be awarded the "Medal of Independence" and that the city's name be changed to "Yiğit Giresun" (Valiant Giresun) has gained significant support in a short time. "For the first time in the city's history, such integration is being experienced," Kara said, emphasizing the heroism the city displayed during the national struggle.

Ali Kara explained the starting point of the campaign as follows: "We initiated this process by upholding our national values. We want the heroic past of Giresun, which holds an important place in our history, to be officially honored."

Kara added, "We aim to ensure that our ancestors, who wrote an epic with great sacrifices at every stage of the struggle for independence, are not forgotten and receive the awards they deserve. To this end, we are conducting an intensive signature mobilization both domestically and abroad. We have received significant support from our people, municipalities, and various political parties."

FULL SUPPORT FROM POLITICIANS AND NGOS

Providing details about the process, Kara stated that they are working in partnership with a very broad base: "We visited our mayors, all our non-governmental organizations, and the provincial chairs and deputies of all political parties except the DEM Party. Since the proclamation of the Republic, such a great consensus has been achieved in Giresun for the first time."

OSMAN AĞA'S NAME IS BEING CLEARED

Kara expressed that misconceptions regarding Giresun's history should also be corrected and clarified the issue of Osman Ağa: "Some misinformation about Giresun's history and speculations about Osman Ağa will now come to an end. Osman Ağa was not hanged, and he is certainly not a murderer. He is our martyr who fought heroically in the founding of the Republic. Everyone should know this."

Kara also recalled that Ali Şükrü Bey's son came to Giresun in 1959 and visited the grave in the castle together with Osman Ağa's son, showing great civic courage by saying, "We know that Osman Ağa did not kill my father. We learned this clearly from the documents."

OVER 100 THOUSAND SIGNATURES COLLECTED IN THE CAMPAIGN

Regarding the stage the campaign has reached, Ali Kara provided the following information: "After the martyrdom ceremony in Afyon, we spread the campaign to all of Turkey and abroad in a short time. We also received the support of Giresun residents in the USA and Europe. So far, approximately 68 thousand 500 digital signatures have been collected in the 'Yiğit Giresun' campaign launched online. At the same time, we have nearly 45 thousand wet signatures in hand. Our goal is to exceed a total of 200 thousand signatures by the end of the year and bring the issue to Parliament with a strong mandate."

This historic unity formed in Giresun regarding the name change is expected to add a new meaning to the city's identity and national values.

News Source: 12punto