One thousand gather to condemn the assassination of Hrant Dink
ArmRadio.am
25.01.2007 16:55
A crowd of more than 1 000 gathered opposite the Turkish Mission to the
United Nations on Tuesday evening in a tremendous outpouring of grief
and anger over the murder of Armenian journalist Hrant Dink. The vigil
was organized by the Armenian National Committees of New York and New
Jersey, with participation from area Armenian organizations as well
as a small number of progressive Turkish activists and intellectuals.
The event began with opening remarks by Herand Markarian of the ANC.
Speaking in Armenian, Markarian stressed that Dink’s murder was an
affront not only to Armenians, but to all those who stand for democracy
and justice. "We are all Hrant Dink," Markarian pronounced, echoing
mourners at Dink’s funeral in Turkey. Markarian also noted the presence
of hostile demonstrators approximately 50 young Turkish zealots who had
assembled across the street from the vigil. In their attempt to disrupt
the proceedings, these men loudly chanted "Armenian lies" and other
hateful slogans and obscenities, leading Markarian to remark, "This
is the culture of hate and intolerance we are up against today. We
cannot allow such vile provocations to deter us from seeking justice."
Markarian’s comments drew a loud, energetic response from the crowd.
Markarian then invited Curtis Sliwa, Guardian Angels founder and New
York radio personality, to the podium. Sliwa forcefully condemned
Dink’s murder and repeated his solidarity with Armenian demands,
noting that such acts were likely to continue until Turkey comes to
terms with its past.
Sliwa’s remarks were met with loud applause from those assembled.
The program continued with remarks by Antranig Kasbarian of the ANC.
Speaking in English, Kasbarian noted that Dink was not an extremist,
but a proponent of dialogue and moderation. In this vein, Dink’s murder
becomes all the more heinous, indicating Turkey’s extreme intolerance
of any moves toward change. Kasbarian emphasized that this was not an
isolated act, but the result of Turkey’s ongoing policies of denial
and suppression of dissent. "We all know this crime doesn’t end with a
17-year-old extremist. When the murderer says he isn’t sorry, and that
Hrant Dink deserved to be murdered, then the true culprit is official
Turkish culture which breeds hate and intolerance," Kasbarian noted.
"We shouldn’t look for hidden agendas in describing this killing.
The agenda is clear for all to see."
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic
Church, then led a brief prayer while flowers were distributed to
attendees. After brief introductory words, Archbishop Choloyan led
the group in prayer while counter-protesters continued to attempt to
denigrate the proceedings. They were eventually drowned out by the
large crowd.
Participants then laid flowers before a candle-lit platform in
Dink’s memory.