AHEPA Statement Calls for Boycott of Turkish Goods

Supreme President of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association George G. Horiates recently released a statement calling for the boycott of all Turkish goods.

Titled “In Wake of Hagia Sophia’s Status Change, A Need for Action. Let’s Start with a Boycott,” the statement reflects the Order of AHEPA’s strong sentiments toward Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s decision to convert the former museum into a mosque.

Providing examples of Turkey’s most important imports to the US, the organization calls for Greek-Americans to boycott all its products, including expensive rugs as well as agricultural and animal products.

Supreme President Horiates also spoke about the cultural and religious significance that Hagia Sophia holds for many, saying “The eradication of Turkey’s religious and cultural heritage, especially Christian and Hellenic, is alarming, disgusting, and has escalated with the demise of secular Turkish society and consolidation of Erdogan’s power.”

“Hagia Sophia is the latest victim of his (Erdogan’s) tyranny. It is hurtful to see one of the greatest monuments of Christian heritage used as a political ploy in what can only be described as a banana republic-style decision to convert Hagia Sophia to a mosque,” President Horiates added.

AHEPA’s commentary piece also calls for Greek Americans to pressure both the US Senate and House of Representatives to have them pass legislation that would impose formal sanctions on Turkey as a protest against last week’s move by the country’s leader.

The statement also notes that under the current law, called the “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act,” there is already a legal framework by which the Trump Administration will be able to impose these wide-ranging sanctions.

The official statement of AHEPA Supreme President George G. Horiates can be found here.