American Flag Raised in Solidarity at Turkish-American Community Center

The Turkish American Community Center held an American flag raising ceremony on Saturday, May 14 at 1 p.m. The ceremony was organized in response to the vandalism that occurred at the center on Monday, May 10, when the center's American flag was stolen and replaced with a torn flag which was raised upside down. The image of the upside down flag in front of the Turkish American Community Center incited outrage from locals, and in front of the center Tuesday morning. 

The purpose of the ceremony "is to extend a message of love, working together, which is built around trust and cooperation, and to send a message that it is in everyone’s best interest when the lines of communication are open to help each other in standing against hate," Ibrahim Kurtulus, spokesperson for the Turkish American Community Center, said in an e-mail to Patch.

Manalapan Township Mayor Andrew Lucas and Millstone Township Mayor Nancy Grbjela were in attendance. Deputy Mayor Ryan Green, former Deputy Mayor Susan Cohen, Committeewoman Michelle Roth, Committeeman Donald Holland and his wife were also in attendance. 

Kurtulus, whose mother emigrated from the Republic of Turkey, delivered a speech before the flag raising. He first reiterated what was previously stated in a which the center issued on Tuesday, May 10. 

"These acts will not yield us. They strengthen us, and our resolve to maintain a free society and to empower us as Americans, as Turkish Americans," Kurtulus said. "We were profoundly concerned that it was our US flag, and we as Americans, as Turkish Americans, and our cultural center, were targets here. It reminds us that the threat of hate still very much exists, even here in the heart of our township."

Kurtulus verified that the cultural center notified the Manalapan Police Department on Tuesday morning, and Capt. Chris Marsala confirmed that a theft investigation is being held. A portrait of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, was also damaged by the vandals on site. 

"It is perfectly reasonable that the sight of our American flag hanging upside down would agitate someone, particularly our honorable veterans," Kurtulus commented. 

"The Turkish-American community is no less American than the crowd that gathered outside our doors," Kurtulus said. "And an incident like this ought to serve as a reminder that communities are built around trust and cooperation. To help each other rather than tripping over ourselves in a pointless exercise of judging each other."

"There is a new wave of change all around us, and if we set our compass true, we will continue to reach our destinations to the better American, and to better Turkish-American relations," Kurtulus said. " We will continue to do our best in assisting so that the torch of freedom and our American values can be passed on again to the next generation of Americans, and Turkish-Americans, Irish-Americans, Italian-Americans, Jewish-Americans, all Americans!"

Mayor Andrew Lucas thanked Kurtulus for organizing the event and being a gracious host. 

"On behalf of Deputy Mayor Green and the rest of the Township Committee, we would just like to thank you for being such a wonderful member of our community," mayor Lucas said. "Unfortunately, the ugly acts of a few days ago are just not indicative of this wonderful township. And while we can't change what happened in the past, what we all can control is what we do to respond and to move forward."

The Turkish American Community Center handed over their old American flag to veteran Michael Schwenk, who then handed the flag to a local girl scout. The New Jersey girl scouts take and properly dispose of old flags. 

Kurtulus also welcomed Committeewoman Michelle Roth, with the acknowledgment that "Jews have prospered in the Islamic-Muslim society of Ottoman Turkey and continue [to prosper] in the modern Republic of Turkey."

Roth spoke on behalf of the Jewish community in Manalapan Township. "Let me express our solidarity with you and what has happened here. We have been victims of several incidents over the year," Roth said. 

Roth is referring to a bulldozer being driven through the wall during construction at Temple Beth Shalom. Also, several years ago swastikas were painted on the foundation of the Jewish Learning Center on Pine Brook Road while it was under construction. 

"In both instances it was ascribed to, 'Oh, it's just kids.' But in this instance, people jumped to conclusions. You have to be very deliberate in coming to judgment before you make an accusation of this kind. It is a very grievous accusation and very much unfounded," Roth said. 

The new American flag was raised on the left pole while the National Anthem was played. Schwenk also lead the congregation in the Pledge of Allegiance. Then, the two Turkish flags were risen while the Turkish National Anthem was played.