Bell Gardens Sun
April 24 2009

Memories of Genocide Alive in Montebello

By Elizabeth Hsing-Huei

More than 5,000 Armenians arrived in cars festooned in red, blue and
orange Armenian flags to a commemoration event held at the Montebello
Armenian Genocide monument located at the Quiet Cannon golf course
this Friday. Los Angeles’ mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was in
attendance, while dignitaries including representative Adam Schiff
spoke at the 94th anniversary of the genocide.

Today, April 24, is the day Armenians remember the atrocities their
family members suffered at the hands of the Young Turk regime in
Turkey from 1950 to 1923. The genocide, which included a systematic
killing of the Armenian intelligentsia, raping of women, executions,
and starvation resulted in the death of 1.5 million Armenians. It is
considered by some to be the first genocide of the 20th century.

This was the first year that the event organizers invited religious
dignitaries from three Christian denominations to hold a ceremony
called the Divine Liturgy. After the event, political dignitaries
spoke. Attendees lined up with wreaths and flowers to pay their
respects to victims of the Armenian genocide at the monument. Many of
them grew up hearing stories told by grandparents and great
grandparents who narrowly escaped the violence of the genocide.

Some of the attendees said they were disappointed President Barack
Obama did not use the word `genocide’ in his statement today, even
though there is footage left behind by journalists, accounts by
American ambassadors, and past recognition from Presidents Woodrow
Wilson and Ronald Reagan. They pointed out the majority of Armenians
voted for Obama, playing a great role in electing him into
office. Twenty-six countries including Canada and France officially
recognize that the genocide occurred, but the United States is not one
of them.

`Elizabeth Hsing-Huei Chou

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress