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  • Marchers Protest Genocide Semantics

    MARCHERS PROTEST GENOCIDE SEMANTICS
    Ofelya Martirosyan

    Daily Sundial
    http://sundial.csun.edu/marchers-protest-g enocide-semantics-1.1737968
    California State Univ. in Northridge
    April 29 2009

    Bracelets with the Web site www.never-again.com were on display
    during a candlelight vigil to commemorate the 94th anniversary of
    the genocide held last Thursday.

    Nearly 10,000 people dressed in black holding flags, banners and signs
    marched in Little Armenia Friday morning in Hollywood in protest of
    Turkey's failure to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Protestors also
    decried President Barack Obama's failure to use the word "genocide."

    Obama issued a statement about the genocide saying his views have
    not changed, but refrained from using the word genocide. Instead he
    twice referred to "Meds Yeghern," which are words used by Armenians
    in reference to the events of 1915.

    This year marks the 94th anniversary of the first genocide of the 20th
    century when under the guise of WWI, the Young Turks of the Ottoman
    Empire systematically killed 1.5 million Armenians. To this day,
    Turkey refuses to acknowledge the genocide.

    Protester Aghasi Kirakosian, 75, said, "They massacred Armenians
    and Turkey denies it without shame. Whoever doesn't recognize it is
    equally guilty."

    Obama's statement read: "Ninety four years ago, one of the great
    atrocities of the 20th century began. Each year, we pause to remember
    the 1.5 million Armenians who were subsequently massacred or marched
    to their death in the final days of the Ottoman Empire. The Meds
    Yeghern must live on in our memories, just as it lives on in the
    hearts of the Armenian people."

    Harut Sassounian, a publisher and human rights advocate, said the
    president broke his campaign promise of properly recognizing the
    Armenian genocide. "It's a clever ploy on his part just like many
    presidents before him who used euphemisms and word gymnastics."

    Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Council president, spoke at the
    protest organized by Unified Young Armenians. Garcetti urged the
    president to use the word genocide.

    "There is no debate. There is no ambiguity. There is only the horrors
    of a genocide. Call it what it is. Say the right word and call it a
    genocide," said Garcetti.

    Sassounian said a simple acknowledgement or an apology on Turkey's
    part would not do.

    "In 1915 an attempt was made to destroy an entire nation in its
    ancestral homeland, depriving the survivors of their cultural
    heritage as well as their homes, lands, houses of worship and personal
    property," he said. "A gross injustice was perpetrated against the
    Armenians, which entitles them to demand compensation."

    Protests continued later in the day in front of the Turkish Consulate
    and a commemoration was held in Montebello attended by Mayor Antonio
    Villaraigosa, Congressman Adam Schiff and state senator Carol Liu (D).

    "Turkey's guilty of genocide," shouted the thousands of protestors,
    "recognize the genocide, recognize history."
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