PONTIAN GENOCIDE COMMEMORATED IN NEW YORK

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
20.05.2009 19:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ May 19th, the international day of remembrance for
the Pontian Genocide, was marked for the second year in a row with
a public commemoration in Bowling Green Park in downtown Manhattan,
Hellenic League of America told PanARMENIAN.Net.

Pontian Hellenes, Hellenes from Hellas and Cyprus, Greek and
Greek-Cypriot dignitaries, local American elected officials, and
philhellenes travelled to Bowling Green Park at 12 noon to stand in
commemoration of the raising of the Hellenic flag, and the historic
single headed eagle flag of Pontos, seen waving today at half mast,
beneath the official flag of Greece, over the streets of downtown
Manhattan in New York City.

The 90th Anniversary of Pontian Genocide event was organized by the
Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater NY, and the Pan-Pontian
Federation of USA and Canada. Distinguished speakers included The
Honorable Leonidas P. Raptakis State Senator of Rhode Island ,
Dr. Mary Marangos Executive Director representing the Honorable
US Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, The Honorable Mrs. Aghi Balta
Consul General – New York for the Republic of Greece, The Honorable
Mr. Andreas Panayiotou Consul General for the Republic of Cyprus-
New York, Mr. Demetrius Kalamaras, Esq. – President of the Federation
of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, Mr. Elias Tsekerides –
President of the International Confederation of Pontian Hellenes,
Mr. George Tsilfidis – Deputy President Pan-Pontian Federation of USA
and Canada, Mr. Tassos Efstratiades Esq. – Chairman Greek American
Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Karine Birazian – Eastern Region Executive
Director Armenian National Committee of America, and Mr. Ioannis
Fidanakis – President of Pan-Thracian Union of America "Orpheus".

Many Hellenic society presidents and members attended, including the
two local Pontian associations "Komninoi" of New York in Astoria and
"Pontos" of Norwalk Connecticut, as well as "Holy Institution Panagia
Soumela."

A prayer was said aloud, followed by a speech by Reverend Father
John Romas from the nearby historic St. Nicholas church that was
destroyed on 9/11, and a moment of silence for the innocent victims
of the Pontian Genocide perpetrated by Turkey.