Disarming Children From Toy Guns (ÇOSA) Festival

26 April 2003
Kadıköy Selamiçeşme Freedom Park

Nazire Dedeman
Founder President of Umut Foundation
Speech Text

Hello Friends,
We gathered today to give a message to our children that peace and friendship hope will never consume. We are here to stress and remind the value of human life.

Arm is not a toy,there is no difference between reality and toy gun in children’s world. Never buy a toy gun to your child, you cannot play with a gun.

Dear Children,
İt is your right to live in friendship and healthily. Claim your right and future. Warn your parents and seniours by saying I do not want to play with arms, I miss peace. Hold your little hands up to grab human love for full of life and hopeful future. 
Soon you will forget about yor tor guns that suit neither you nor humanity. You will be a model to your friends and most importantly to your seniours.  I celebrate from now your model and sensitive behaviour. I wish a world that is peaceful, full of love and respect and armless for you. I believe you will succed and realise the pleasure of compromise.

Now, with your permission, I would like to invite esteemed singer Gülben Ergen. She suffered for years because of firearm victimization in her family. Like me, like others. Now, dear Gülben takes responsibility for this bitter social problem with us. I hug her for her sensitivity, her human love and supporting Umut Foundation. I welcome her and wish that her beautiful heart becomes model to others.

I wish that Purifying Children from Toy Guns (PCTG) Festival carried out by Umut Foundation with the support of Kadıköy Municipality, ToysRus, Promoturk and Stars Company is to be a step for solution of indıvidual armament problem.

Thank you.