ABOUT ASA

Founded 1995 in Washington DC, the Atatürk Society of America (ASA) is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, dedicated to promoting the ideals of Atatürk.

ASA understands Atatürk's political philosophy to be:

• Sovereignty belongs to the people.
• Public sovereignty cannot be shared with any other authority, including religious authority.
• Secular education ensures public sovereignty and rationality in governance.
• Secularism is essential to avoid the influence of any religion on state affairs.
• For progress to be achieved, superstition and dogma must always yield to science and reason.
• Freedom and the pursuit of happiness are common aspirations of humanity.
• Representative democracy prevents abuse of power by incorporating a system of checks and balances through a constitution that includes a three-part separation of powers among a legislature, executive, and judiciary.
• Ataturk's noble principle, "Peace at home and peace in the world," is crucial to maintaining the common good of humankind.

ASA organizes meetings and scholarly lectures, provides research fellowships, and serves as a resource for material regarding Atatürk's political philosophy. It also publishes the periodical, Voice of Atatürk, a photo journal with historical and political stories pertaining to Ataturk. On two dates approximately six months apart, May 19 and November 10, members meet in Washington, DC.

NEWS

First Public Statue of Atatürk in the U.S.A.
During the past year the Atatürk Society of America worked feverishly with the unusually talented local sculptor, Jeffery Hall, to produce a full-size bronze statue of Kemal Atatürk. The statue was unveiled on November 10th at the Sheridan Circle, Washington, DC. The statue is the first public monument in the United States honoring one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century. Read full story behind the making of the Ataturk's statue...

Mustafa Balbay was released from prison.
The Ataturk Society of America is delighted by the release of Mustafa Balbay, Member of the Turkish Parliament (MP) from CHP (Republican Party) from a 4 year, 9 month imprisonment.
Balbay was first detained and released in July 2008, and then unlawfully imprisoned in April 2010. In the last parliamentary elections in June 2011 he was elected as an MP from Izmir, but he was unable to perform his duties while under detention. He continued to contribute to his column in the Cumhuriyet newspaper while in prison. During the “Ergenekon” trials, many documents brought to court against him were already proven to be tempered with and false. There has not been any single evidence to support the crime for which he was accused.
There had been a worldwide outcry against Balbay's imprisonment from journalists’ and writers’ associations, human rights organizations, legal professionals and the public.Washington D.C.,November 10, 1963 on the 25th commemoration of Ataturk's death, Kennedy made the following remark, "The name of Ataturk brings to mind the historic accomplishments of one of the great men of this century, his inspired leadership of the Turkish People, his perceptive understanding of the modern world and his boldness as a military leader."

The Atatürk Society of America (ASA) Condemns Excessive Force Against Turkish Youth
ASA has been watching with grave concern the political protests in Taksim Square in Istanbul, protests that have now spread to over 60 other Turkish cities. We consider the excessive force used by the police against the demonstrators to be deplorable and criminal. Peaceful public demonstration as a form of protest or means to petition government for redress of grievances is an accepted practice in all civilized, democratic societies. The response of the Prime Minister Erdoğan and current Turkish government to what began as a modest movement to protect the environment has placed that government outside the community of democracy. Read full press release.

May 19, Youth and Sports Day Celebration
May 19, Commemoration of Atatürk and the Youth Day celebration was enthusiastically attended by a large crowd at The Cosmos Club in Washington, DC.
Hon. Ince, Member of Parliament (CHP) was the keynote speaker. You may read about the highlights of his speech at the following websites:
Hurriyet Gazetesi
Star Gundem Gazetesi
Vatan Gazetesi
Sabah Gazetesi

Panel Discussion on Press Freedom & Rule of Law in Turkey
Atatürk Society of America and Turkish Policy Center held a panel discussion on "Press Freedom & Rule of Law in Turkey.
The panelists were:
Susan Corke, Program Director, Freedom House;
Gareth Jenkins, Independent Author; Barış Terkoğlu, News Director, Odatv. Follow the links below to read the press coverage of the event.
Yeni Çag Gazetesi
ODATV Gazetesi
Hürriyet Gazetesi
Voice of America
Freedom House
Read more about this event on our Events page.

Honorable Oktay Ekşi received the 2012 Atatürk Free Press and Democracy Award
Hon. Oktay Ekşi who is a member of the Parliament and a legendary journalist was the guest of honor at the 19th of May, National holiday ceremony organized by the Atatürk Society of America in Washington, DC. Hon. Oktay Ekşi was presented with the Atatürk Free Press and Democracy Award for his exemplary dedication and tireless work in protecting the freedom of the press and democracy in Turkey. Awards were also presented in absentia to Turgut Özakman and Muazzez İlmiye Çığ.