PROTESTORS DEMAND RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
CBS 2, CA
April 25 2006
(CBS) LOS ANGELES About 1,000 people protested outside the Turkish
Consulate Monday, blasting Turkey and others who deny the Armenian
genocide occurred.
The Armenian Youth Federation organized the protest, one of many
events held Monday to remember the arrests, mass deportations and
executions of Armenians that began on April 24, 1915, with arrest of
200 community leaders.
An estimated 1.5 million Armenians died between 1915 and 1923 in the
waning days of Turkey’s Ottoman Empire.
In West Hollywood, flags were flying at half-staff to honor the
Armenian victims.
The Turkish government says allegations of genocide have never been
proven.Turkish Ambassador Nabi Sensoy, in response to the Public
Broadcasting Service documentary “Armenian Genocide,” said last week
that “Armenian allegations of genocide have never been historically
or legally substantiated.”
The West Hollywood City Council has passed a resolution “condemning
the human rights violations of the Turkish government,” according to
City Councilman Jeffrey Prang’s office. The resolution was introduced
by Prang and Councilwoman Abbe Land.
The LAPD estimated that about 1,000 protesters were taking part in the
consulate protest on Wilshire Boulevard, according to Marjon Mobasser,
a spokeswoman for the department.