YENİ Party Rize Provincial Chair Saltuk Deniz reacts to Atatürk Monument claim

YENİ Party Rize Provincial Chair Saltuk Deniz has claimed that there is an attempt to relocate the Atatürk Monument currently situated in front of the Rize Governor's Office. Deniz stated that a "new ceremonial area" plan is being cited as the reason and declared that they will oppose the decision.

In his statement, Deniz argued that the Atatürk Monument, which was erected in 1998 for the 75th anniversary of the Republic, was removed in 2004-2005 under the pretext of square renovation and was subsequently lost.

Deniz noted that there was also an attempt to remove the replacement monument on December 23, 2016, again citing "square renovation," and stated that following the objections at that time, the monument was moved to its current location in front of the Governor's Office.

You were going to lose that one just like the other monument. We resisted, and you moved it in front of the Governor's Office. Today, you are trying to change the location of the Atatürk Monument in front of the Governor's Office by saying you will make a new ceremonial area. They are looking for a place. We resisted that day and did not let you lose it. We will resist today as well. Rize is a city of the Republic. Atatürk is the founder of our Republic. If you are imagining a Rize without Atatürk, we will not allow it.

Deniz stated that they will protect Rize's Republican identity and the memory of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, adding that they will continue to follow the matter closely.

News Source: 12punto