LA Daily News
April 18 2015
Voices: Looking back at the Armenian Genocide
“My father had a friend named Mohammed who helped us stay in Turkey.
But when I used to look out of our door, I would hear people crying. I
would hear mothers, fathers, children saying, ‘I’m hungry, I’m
thirsty.’ The Turkish general would crack his whip and he would say,
‘You! You! You! Get out of here!'”
— Yevnige Salibian, 101, survivor, resident of the Ararat Home in Mission Hills
“I will not eat for those who were tortured, raped, abused, sent on
death marches, dehumanized and killed. I will not eat to bring
awareness to a genocide that modern-day Turkey still refuses to
recognize as well as for the genocides still taking place today.”
— Agasi Vartanyan, local activist fasting in Burbank
“Genocide still occurs today. This is a disease that still keeps
occurring today. For us as Armenian Americans, as band members who
have had family who have gone through this, it’s important for us not
only to bring awareness but justice to this cause. (The Armenian
Genocide) is still with us, and the denial is a spit in the face of us
every year.”
— Serj Tankian, musician, System of a Down, a Los Angeles-based band
“There’s a growing society in Turkey that is expanding and maturing.
Since 2007 tens of thousands (of people) have poured into the streets
and started to commemorate the genocide. This shows there is a growing
interest in Turkey. Without coming to terms (with its past), Turkey
cannot build a democracy. The denial is cracking. Once the crack
starts, it will be hard, if not impossible, to stop it. We should
really pressure the U.S. government and stop supporting a denialist
regime.”
— Taner Akcam, Turkish scholar
“This is the year, the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
when we need to make sure our president and Congress do the right
thing. America must play its part to help close this wound.”
— U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank
From: Baghdasarian