Turkish Cypriots on Monday morning hoisted the flag of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC) at Waltham Forest Town Hall, East London, to mark the country’s Republic Day.
It is the first time a local council in Britain has permitted such a ceremony.
Dozens of Turkish Cypriots were present for the ceremony in Fellowship Square outside the Grand Town Hall building, which started at 10.30am Monday morning.
Members of the community spoke about the significance of the event before the TRNC’s distinctive white and red flag with a crescent and star was raised up the town hall’s main flag pole, where it remained for the rest of the day.
Local Conservative Councillor Halil Halebi and local resident Allen Windsor were behind the initiative, which took place on the 38th anniversary of the declaration of TRNC, on 15th November 1983.
In a statement sent to T-VINE, Councillor Halebi explained that he and Mr. Windsor had tried for many years to get the TRNC and Turkish flags raised for special occasions in the borough, but their applications were rejected each time by council officials.
Waltham Forest Council officers and their lawyers had previously objected, citing a variety of reasons, including that TRNC Independence Day was ‘not an official event recognised by the United Kingdom authorities and that Turkey ‘is not part of the Commonwealth’.