At Monday’s City Council meeting Mayor Terry Tornek issued a proclamation remembering the Armenian Genocide.
“On April 24, 1915, the Turkish government perpetrated against Armenian people what is commonly referred to as the first genocide of the twentieth century, which continued until 1923 and resulted in the death of 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children; and since memories fade with time, it is important to remind ourselves about human tragedies that have taken place.” Tornek wrote in his proclamation.
Also known among Armenians as the Great Crime, the genocide began in 1915 and, by the time it ended eight years later, 1.5 million Armenians had been hanged, poisoned, drowned or marched into the desert to die at the hands of soldiers from the Turkish Ottoman Empire. Along with the Jewish Holocaust and the enslavement of African Americans, it remains one of the darkest episodes in human history.
The Turkish government vehemently denies the event took place.
Typically, the city remembers the Genocide on April 24, but due to the safer at home orders, there won’t be a ceremony this year,
“The time of protesting is over,” said former Mayor Bill Paparian, “this is about our ancestors who deserve a prayer.
“They would want to see us come together, honor them, and celebrate their memory. Let this become a new tradition, an Armenian Thanksgiving.”
In 1984 Paparian’s uncle, Arshag Dickranian, shared with the Shoah Foundation the story how his mother Serpouhi, and other members the family survived the Genocide.
After managing to find a house to hide in, informers turned them in. After the police came, Paparian’s grandfather bribed the driver, and they were taken to another house.
In their first month hiding in Konya, the family stayed in 60 different houses to avoid being caught.
Eventually, the family changed their name and began living as Turkish Muslims in the city.
Dickranian’s father went to mosque, and Dickranian began attending a secret Armenian school in the attic of a house. When he went there each day, the eight students each entered the building separately, so as not to arouse suspicion.
By 1923 the family made its way to America.
“This coming Friday, April 24, the Armenian-American community will pause to remember the Armenian Genocide of 1915.” Paparian said.
In October, the US government finally recognized the 1.5 million lives that were taken during the genocide when the House voted 405-11 to approve a resolution formally recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Pasadena) fought for 19 years to get the government to recognize the Genocide.
“Today, the House decisively voted to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.” Schiff said in a prepared statement. “In so doing, the House declared that it will no longer be party to the cause of genocide denial. This is a vote I have fought for 19 years to make possible, and one that tens of thousands of my Armenian American constituents have worked, struggled, and prayed for decades to see.”