One of the harshest reactions to Şevki Yılmaz came from the Büyükçekmece district of Istanbul. Hundreds of citizens gathered in front of the Atatürk Monument and condemned Şevki Yılmaz, saying "It is not anyone's place to insult Atatürk." Many non-governmental organizations, neighborhood headmen and citizens supported the action.
“WE STRONGLY CONDEMN IT AND INVITE OUR REPUBLIC PROSECUTORS TO DUTY”
Büyükçekmece Ataturkist Thought Association President Özgür Polat read the press release prepared on behalf of the people of Büyükçekmece. The following statements were included in the declaration: “Videos containing great insults to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk were published last night. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who founded the New Republic of Turkey on the ashes of the collapsed Ottoman Empire, is the greatest Turkish hero who fought an unprecedented struggle in the world. He is a statesman, politician and scientist. Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who founded the new Republic of Turkey with these heroisms, set an example for all oppressed states. As the most respected statesman in the world, it is not anyone's place to criticize or insult Atatürk. Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is our eternal chief, our leader, our Commander-in-Chief, the common denominator of all of us. The bright future and modernity of the century-old Republic of Turkey will only come to life through the implementation of the principles left by the great Atatürk. No one, especially those who lack national consciousness and do not know history, has neither the right nor the courage to criticize the Great Atatürk, who became the leader of the 20th century with his actions and continues to be a light in the 21st century. For this reason, we condemn with hatred and violence these insults made by the relevant person against the modern Secular Republic of Turkey and its founder, our eternal leader Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and we call on our Public Prosecutors to take action.”
“THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW THEIR PLACE, LIKE ŞEVKİ YILMAZ, SHOULD NOT EXADE TOO MUCH”
Supporting the people of Büyükçekmece, Mayor of Büyükçekmece Dr. Hasan Akgün stated that he was extremely sorry and expressed his reaction with the following words: “Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk continues his life as the world's greatest statesman in the 21st century. A second leader like Atatürk has not survived in the world for more than a hundred years. For this reason, we should not exaggerate, but we should follow up on the criticism of the great leader Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, by people who do not know their place, such as Şevki Yılmaz. You also need to know your limits. How happy we are that we have a leader like Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. We have a leader who can say, "Peace at home, peace in the world." Insulting him like this by Şevki Yılmaz and others only brings us, the Turkish nation together. "Republic's prosecutors will definitely hold him accountable."
