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Glendale News Press, CA
April 25 2013
Armenians march, demonstrate in L.A. to protest genocide denial
April 24, 2013
Hundreds demonstrate in front of the Turkish Consulate... (Tim Berger / Staff...)
Thousands of Armenians chanted outside the Turkish Consulate in Los
Angeles Wednesday to commemorate the massacre of some 1.5 million of
their ancestors 98 years ago -- a genocide that has yet to be
officially recognized by the U.S.
Chanting `We will fight, we will fight, until the end!' in Armenian,
the large crowd decried decades of denial by modern day Turkey that a
genocide occurred during the time of the Ottoman Empire.
PHOTOS: Armenians protest at Turkish Consulate to end genocide denial
Among them was Glendale resident Armen Aroutiounian, 19, who called it
a `pathetic' political game that after 98 years, the United States and
Turkish governments refuse to recognize the genocide.
`Armenian people need closure,' he said, adding that he takes part in
the annual protests almost every year. `More voices means more
opinions, and more opinions means more leniency toward recognition.'
Dozens of `Hye Riders' motorcycle club members roared their engines on
Wilshire Boulevard, while cyclists with the Armenian Cycling Assn. -
clad in red, blue and orange cycling suits - sat nearby on their
bicycles.
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`We just want our youth to remember and understand it's part of our
history,' said cyclist Edmond Aslanian.
Also on Wednesday, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) - who for years has
unsuccessfully introduced legislation in the House that would
officially recognize the massacre as genocide - addressed his
colleagues on the floor in Armenian.
His remarks came on the same day President Obama once again did not
use the word `genocide' in his annual statement about the tragic
event.
The demonstration in L.A. was organized by the Armenian Youth
Federation. Calls to the Turkish Consulate were not returned.
Frustration over the U.S.' resistance to recognizing the genocide -
and angering a key NATO ally in the Middle East - was prevalent at a
number of commemoration events in the region Wednesday, including in
Glendale and Pasadena.
For some, the history and ongoing struggle of the Armenian community
has made them stronger, Aroutiounian said.
`Through bloodshed of innocents is when society grows a lot stronger,' he said.
-- Alene Tchekmedyian, [email protected]
http://articles.glendalenewspress.com/2013-04-24/news/tn-818-0424-armenians-march-demonstrate-in-hollywood-to-protest-genocide-denial_1_armenians-protest-genocide-98-years
April 25 2013
Armenians march, demonstrate in L.A. to protest genocide denial
April 24, 2013
Hundreds demonstrate in front of the Turkish Consulate... (Tim Berger / Staff...)
Thousands of Armenians chanted outside the Turkish Consulate in Los
Angeles Wednesday to commemorate the massacre of some 1.5 million of
their ancestors 98 years ago -- a genocide that has yet to be
officially recognized by the U.S.
Chanting `We will fight, we will fight, until the end!' in Armenian,
the large crowd decried decades of denial by modern day Turkey that a
genocide occurred during the time of the Ottoman Empire.
PHOTOS: Armenians protest at Turkish Consulate to end genocide denial
Among them was Glendale resident Armen Aroutiounian, 19, who called it
a `pathetic' political game that after 98 years, the United States and
Turkish governments refuse to recognize the genocide.
`Armenian people need closure,' he said, adding that he takes part in
the annual protests almost every year. `More voices means more
opinions, and more opinions means more leniency toward recognition.'
Dozens of `Hye Riders' motorcycle club members roared their engines on
Wilshire Boulevard, while cyclists with the Armenian Cycling Assn. -
clad in red, blue and orange cycling suits - sat nearby on their
bicycles.
Advertisement
Ads by Google
`We just want our youth to remember and understand it's part of our
history,' said cyclist Edmond Aslanian.
Also on Wednesday, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) - who for years has
unsuccessfully introduced legislation in the House that would
officially recognize the massacre as genocide - addressed his
colleagues on the floor in Armenian.
His remarks came on the same day President Obama once again did not
use the word `genocide' in his annual statement about the tragic
event.
The demonstration in L.A. was organized by the Armenian Youth
Federation. Calls to the Turkish Consulate were not returned.
Frustration over the U.S.' resistance to recognizing the genocide -
and angering a key NATO ally in the Middle East - was prevalent at a
number of commemoration events in the region Wednesday, including in
Glendale and Pasadena.
For some, the history and ongoing struggle of the Armenian community
has made them stronger, Aroutiounian said.
`Through bloodshed of innocents is when society grows a lot stronger,' he said.
-- Alene Tchekmedyian, [email protected]
http://articles.glendalenewspress.com/2013-04-24/news/tn-818-0424-armenians-march-demonstrate-in-hollywood-to-protest-genocide-denial_1_armenians-protest-genocide-98-years