Communities joined together with the Turkish Cypriot residents living in Waltham Forest expressed their anger towards the local council leader’s decision to remove the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) flags and then state “…In the future flags of territories not recognized by the UK will not be hung.”
The decision coming following complaints made about the TRNC flag at Waltham Forest City Hall on November 15 for the 38th anniversary of the TRNC’s founding celebrating its Turkish Cypriots residence’s heritage has not had not only effect Turkish Cypriot residents but members of other cultures from the borough.
Once again holding a protest outside the Waltham Forest City Hall in East London, with their TRNC and Turkish flags, chanting slogans this time joined by residents with ethnic backgrounds from Azerbaijani, Palestinian and Kashmiri flags were also waved in the action.
Protestors were once again calling on Labour Leader Grace Williams to resign in the expressing that the flag hung in front of the city hall was taken down and dragged on the ground was an insult to the Turkish Cypriot community.
Ayşe Osman, President of the British Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations, also explained the steps they will be looking at, stating that they are waiting for an official statement apologising from the council. Emphasizing that if an official apology is not made, they will take the case to court and that they have already started preparations for it, Osman said, “We will win this case.”
A thank you message has also been seen to the Turkish community for protecting the TRNC flag came from TRNC President Ersin Tatar.
Meeting with the organizing committee of the action in an online meeting, President Tatar thanked the committee for organizing for “taking action against injustice and discrimination”. Pointing to the importance of successful lobbying for the national cause, Tatar shared the statement that “It is very important that the Turkish Cypriots living in England protect their flag with such enthusiasm and national pride.”
