The Atatürk Society of America (ASA) is an independent non-profit organization founded 1995 in Washington DC, with the objective of promoting the ideals of Atatürk's political legacy.
ASA understands Atatürk's political philosophy to be:
Sovereignty belongs to the people.
People alone administer people.
Public sovereignty cannot be shared with any other authority, including religious authority.
Secular education ensures public sovereignty and rationality in politics.
For progress, science and reason must supersede superstition and dogma.
Contemporary civilization is the common heritage of humankind.
Peace at home and peace in the world assures the universality of civilization.
Towards this objective the ASA organizes scholarly lectures, provides research fellowships, develops a resource and reference center, and makes presentations regarding the importance of Atatürk's political philosophy for international prosperity and peace.
NEWS
19 of May Holiday Celebration
Maximum occupancy has been reached at the J.W. Powell Room of the Cosmos Club where the event will take place. We regret to inform our members that we will not be able accomodate additional guests who have not yet RSVP'ed. (Posted 8pm, Thu. May 17th.)
Honorable Oktay Ekşi will be in Washington, DC to receive Atatürk Free Press and Democracy Award
Hon. Oktay Ekşi who is a member of the Parliament and a legendary journalist will be 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 will be 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 will also be presented in absentia to Turgut Özakman and Muazzez İlmiye Çığ.
The number of journalists imprisoned in Turkey has nearly doubled, from 57 journalists in 2011 to 95 in 2012 – the highest number of imprisoned journalists in any nation according to a recent study by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Also, the European Court of Human Rights has reported that since the AKP government took power in Turkey in 2003, Turkey has gradually become the country with the highest number of decisions for violations in the fields of freedom of expression and press.
Honorable Oktay Ekşi will be in Washington, DC 