The brave journalist Hasan Tahsin, who fired the first bullet against the enemy occupation of İzmir, was commemorated in a meaningful ceremony organized by his colleagues and the people of İzmir on the 106th anniversary of his martyrdom. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay also attended the program held in front of Hasan Tahsin's monument in Konak, emphasizing that Hasan Tahsin is the symbol of resistance and the honor of all journalists. Mayor Tugay said, “All journalists who take the pen in their hands, throw away the fear inside them and say 'I will write the truth' are also heroes.”
Journalist Hasan Tahsin, who became a symbol of resistance by firing the first bullet at the enemy on May 15, 1919, the dark day when the occupation of İzmir began, was respectfully remembered in a ceremony held in front of the First Bullet Monument in Konak Atatürk Square on the 106th anniversary of his death. The commemoration ceremony was attended by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay, İzmir Journalists Association President Dilek Gappi, teachers and students of the Martyr Journalist Hasan Tahsin Secondary School, many members of the press, members of parliament, district mayors, provincial chairmen and representatives of political parties, and citizens of İzmir. During the ceremony, a moment of silence was observed for Hasan Tahsin's precious memory, and then the National Anthem was sung in unison. The first part of the ceremony was concluded with the laying of a wreath in front of the monument.
Chairman Tugay: “All Journalists Who Write the Truth Are Heroes”
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay, who made an emotional speech at the ceremony, stated that Hasan Tahsin was not only the pride of journalists but also of all of Izmir and Türkiye. Mayor Tugay said, “There are many values that make Izmir what it is. One of the most important of these is that it is the city of liberation and then the city where the foundations of the republic were laid. However, the occupation of Izmir, which caused the beginning of that liberation story, was also the most heroic point of resistance. The symbol of this resistance, Hasan Tahsin, is a journalist and the honor of journalists. But he is also the pride of Izmir and Türkiye. All of Türkiye knows Hasan Tahsin. Everyone has heard the story of this heroism.”
President Tugay emphasized that not only Hasan Tahsin but also all journalists who try to convey the correct news to the public under difficult conditions are heroes, and said, “Can we say that Hasan Tahsin’s heroism is the only heroism of journalists? No. I say it with all my sincerity; all journalists who try to convey and convey the realities that are happening today to the public in an unalloyed manner, who try to ensure that they receive correct information, who do not hesitate from anything, who experience the difficulties of this from time to time, who throw away the fear inside them when they take the pen in their hand and say ‘I will write the truth’ are heroes in my opinion.”
“How Do You Kill Uğur Mumcu?”
In his speech, President Tugay also touched upon the journalist murders that took place in Türkiye in the past, and stated that these losses caused great harm to the country. “We made a huge mistake as a country. When the first person we lost was a journalist who was killed and imprisoned, the country should have said ‘stop’ to this from the very beginning. The basis of everything that is happening today is our country, which did not speak out enough against the murders of Abdi İpekçi, Uğur Mumcu, and brave journalists like them in the past, and all the democratic forces of our country. How could you kill Uğur Mumcu? How could you kill such a person? How could you accept someone who loved his country and people as much as Uğur Mumcu, who only pursued goodness and truth in this country, when someone treacherously killed him? We all need to face this. This country is like this today because we accepted something. We know that we all suffer, feel sorrow in our hearts and consciences, and dream of a clean country in the future. We see these from time to time in the support efforts shown for arrested journalists,” he said.
“Türkiye and Our People Need You”
Emphasizing the vital importance of the journalism profession, President Tugay stated that they stand by the press as the local government and said, “As the Metropolitan Municipality Mayor of this city, I would like to thank you all with the feelings that come from my heart. You provide this valuable service. Türkiye and our people need you. We have an obligation to provide you with all the help we can so that you can do your job better. Together with my friends, we are working on how we can be more by the side of our press and how we can make their job easier.”
Journalists Association President Gappi: “Hasan Tahsin is Our Honor and Responsibility”
İzmir Journalists Association President Dilek Gappi also mentioned the importance of heroism displayed by Hasan Tahsin in her speech at the ceremony, recalling the days of occupation of İzmir. Gappi emphasized that they will follow Hasan Tahsin’s legacy by saying, “If we are free and honorable individuals of the establishment and liberation today, the path that opened up is exactly here. Hasan Tahsin or Osman Nevres… Journalism is witnessing history with one’s heart. Journalism is the job of brave people. Journalists are not only those who write about the problems of society, but also those who do not turn their backs and give their lives for freedom when necessary. Hasan Tahsin, who paved the way for liberation, is the honor, pride and also the responsibility of us journalists from İzmir. We will continue to follow Hasan Tahsin’s footsteps.”
