ON 95TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE, NEW GENERATION SEEKS JUSTICE AND CLOSURE
Asbarez
Apr 20th, 2010
LOS ANGELES-Thousands of protestors will descend upon the Turkish
Consulate of Los Angeles this Saturday to demand recognition and
justice for the first genocide of the 20th century. Fueled by Ankara’s
ongoing denial, Armenian Americans and anti-genocide activists will
take to the streets to call for an end to over 95 years of Turkish
impunity.
The demonstration is being organized by the Armenian Youth Federation
(AYF) and is set to begin at 4:00 p.m. on the corner of Wilshire
Boulevard and McCarthy Vista. Los Angeles City Council member Paul
Krekorian will be one of several community leaders and officials who
will address attendees at the protest.
"This protest it is not just about commemorating the Genocide," said
Caspar Jivalegian, one of the lead organizers of the annual protest.
"It’s about saying 95 years is long enough. As youth, we want justice
and an end to all genocides plaguing humanity."
This year marks the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
which began on April 24, 1915 at the hands of the Ottoman Turkish
government. It comes just over a month after the Foreign Affairs
Committee of the U.S. House adopted a resolution calling on the
President to properly recognize the killings as Genocide. Turkey
responded to the measure by recalling its ambassador from Washington.
Meanwhile, despite numerous campaign pledges, President Barrack Obama
has backtracked on his earlier promise to speak truthfully about the
Armenian Genocide. His administration has come out in opposition to
the House resolution, with Secretary Hillary Clinton stating "We
do not believe that the full Congress will or should vote on that
resolution and we have made that clear to all the parties involved."
"The Genocide began in 1915 but it did not end there," said protest
organizer and Chair of the AYF Arek Santikian. "We feel it in our
bones to this day because of Turkey’s aggressive campaign of distortion
and its blackmail of our representatives in the US Congress."
With chapters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations
around the world, the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) has grown
to become the largest and most influential Armenian American youth
organization. Inspired by the past and motivated by the needs of the
future, the AYF actively strives to advance the social, political,
educational and cultural awareness of all Armenian youth.