ANCA-ER MARKS 89TH ANNIVERSARY OF PONTIAN GENOCIDE AT NEW YORK CITY EVENT

armradio.am
23.05.2008 10:50

Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region (ANCA ER)
Executive Director took part in commemorating the 89th Anniversary
of the Pontian Genocide. Strong winds and brisk temperatures did not
keep community activists from gathering at Bowling Green Park for
the first New York City commemoration.

Organizing the event was the Federation of Hellenic Societies
of Greater New York and the Pan-Pontian Federation of USA and
Canada. Dimitris Molohides, Secretary of the Pan-Pontian Federation
of USA and Canada, addressed the crowd in attendance and urged for
decisive action for recognition of the Pontian Genocide.

Molohides, who spoke at the Armenian Genocide commemorative event
at City Hall in New York City during the ANC of NY’s April 24th
event stated "today, May 19th the Pontian community with Hellenes
and Philhellenes here in New York City and around the world will
commemorate the 89th anniversary of the Pontian… it is the first
time that we gather here in the Bowling Green Park in the heart of the
economic center of New York City to raise together the Greek flag and
the single-headed eagle symbol of Pontus. Today’s event is an emotional
but also a historical moment for all of us that are present here."

Speaking on behalf of the ANCA, Birazian addressed the crowd. In
her statement she remarked: "the tragic sufferings of Armenians,
Assyrians, and Greeks will never be forgotten. The Turkish Government
tries to silence us, but we will not be silenced, and together we will
in fact end Turkey’s "Gag Rule" and seek recognition of this great
crime. Nine decades ago they tried to silence the innocent victims
that fell under the Turkish sword, and today we are still here. Nine
decades from now we will still be here for we will never forget and
work to seek justice" (Full comments can be read below).

Also present at the event include the Cypriot Action Network of America
(CANA), the presidents and members of the two local associations
"Komninoi" of New York and "Pontos" of Norwalk Connecticut and from the
"Holy Institution Panagia Soumela." Speakers included Reverend Father
Ioannis Romas from the St. Nicholas church that was destroyed on 9/11,
Mr. Dimitris Dimitriou, General Secretary – Federation of Hellenic
Societies of Greater New York, Mr. Elias Tsekerides, Past President
of Pan-Pontian Federation USA & Canada, Ms. Donna Fotiadou, member and
coordinating committee of the Pontian Youth Association USA & Canada,
and Mr. Ioannis Fidanakis, President of Panthracian Union of America
"Orpheus."

The Ottoman Empire, under the cover of World War I, undertook a
systematic and deliberate effort to eliminate its minority Christian
populations. This genocidal campaign resulted in the death and
deportation of well over 2,000,000 Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks.

The Pontian Genocide has been formally acknowledged by Greece and
Cyprus and, within the United States, by the states of New York,
New Jersey, Florida, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and
Illinois, among others. Most recently, the International Association
of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) released a statement commenting:

"Be it resolved that it is the conviction of the International
Association of Genocide Scholars that the Ottoman campaign against
Christian minorities of the Empire between 1914 and 1923 constituted
a genocide against Armenians, Assyrians, and Pontian and Anatolian
Greeks.

Be it further resolved that the Association calls upon the government
of Turkey to acknowledge the genocides against these populations,
to issue a formal apology, and to take prompt and meaningful steps
toward restitution."