Bursa Speech

The Turkish youth are the owners and guardians of the revolutions and the Republic. They believe in their necessity and righteousness more deeply than anyone else. They have embraced the system of governance and the reforms. Whenever they sense even the slightest or greatest movement or action that may weaken them, they will not say, ‘There are police forces, gendarmerie, an army, and judicial institutions in this country.’ Rather, with their hands, with stones, sticks, or weapons whatever they possess they will protect their own work.

The police may arrive and, instead of apprehending the true offenders, may arrest the youth as the guilty party. The youth will then think, ‘The police are not yet the police of the revolutions and the Republic,’ but they will never plead. The courts will put them on trial. Once again, they will reflect: ‘This means that the system of justice, too, must be corrected and reorganized in accordance with the system of governance.’

They may be imprisoned. While making objections through lawful means, they will not seek favor, nor will they demand that petitions or telegrams be sent to me, to the Prime Minister, or to the Parliament for their release on the grounds of injustice or innocence. They will say: ‘I have done what my faith and conviction required. I am justified in my intervention and action. If I have been brought here unjustly, then it is my duty to correct the causes and conditions that have produced this injustice.’

This is how I understand the Turkish youth and Turkish youthfulness.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Bursa, 5 February 1933