CTV News Canada
April 19 2015

Thousands attend Toronto rally marking 100 years since Armenian genocide

Thousands of people gathered in downtown Toronto Sunday, for a rally
marking 100 years since the Ottoman-era killing of an estimated 1.5
million Armenians.

The killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks around the time of the First
World War is considered by many historians to be the first genocide of
the 20th century. Turkey, however, insists the death toll has been
exaggerated, and that the dead were victims of civil war and unrest in
the region.

On Sunday, approximately one dozen Turkish protesters staged a
counter-demonstration at Queen’s Park, waving Turkish flags, but not
interrupting the rally that started shortly after 1 p.m.

Many in attendance, including Defence Minister Jason Kenney, Ontario
Premier Kathleen Wynne and Toronto Mayor John Tory, appeared to
support the event. Police estimate that approximately 2,000 people
gathered at Queen’s Park.

From: A. Papazian