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Troy Record, NY
April 22 2005
TROY - Armenians throughout the world will gather on Sunday -
Armenian Martyrs Day - to remember the horrible events of 90 years
ago.
On April 24, 1915, 200 Armenian dignitaries, clergymen and
intellectuals were rounded up and put to death, according to Rafi
Topalian, a representative from the Capital District Armenian Genocide
Committee. This date is considered the official start of the Armenian
Genocide.
Topalian said there are 2,500 Armenians in the Capital District, and
at 7:15 tonight, Troy will host a memorial service at Monument Square
to mourn the loss of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923.
"We would urge Armenians in the Capital District to come and support
us, as well as non-Armenian people of conscious," Topalian said.
He called the Armenian genocide the "template" for other genocides
in the 20th Century.
"Hitler told his generals before invading Poland 'Who, after all,
speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?'" he said. "We
want to remember and continue to get the word out."
The gathering is sponsored by the Armenian National Committee, based
in Washington, D.C.
Mayor Harry Tutunjian, himself an Armenian and honorary CDAGC member,
will be joined by Rep. Michael McNulty, D-Green Island, Watervliet
Mayor Robert Carlson and Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings to address
the gathering.
"It was an honor to be part of it when I was a councilman," Tutunjian
said. "It will be a bigger honor to be part of it now as mayor."
According to Topalian, three out of four Armenians were killed by
the Ottoman Turkish government, and it has taken 50 to 60 years for
the Armenians left and their descendents to organize.
He said the present-day Turkish government is "revisionist" and
lobbies countries not to recognize the Armenian genocide.
"It is against the law to talk about the Armenian genocide in Turkey,"
Topalian said.
The U.S. government does not recognize the genocide, but New York is
one of roughly 30 states that does.
"We're working hard to raise awareness," he added.
The CDAGC, founded in 2000, will take a busload of people to Times
Square in New York City on Sunday, Armenian Martyrs Day, for a
Milestone Commemoration.
Senators Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer are expected to speak,
as well as others.
The cost of the trip is $22 and seating is available but limited.
Call Topalian at 272-2000 if interested.
On May 16, CDAGC will sponsor an event at the state Assembly to
formally recognize the genocide with a resolution and proclaimation.
The public is invited and lunch will be served.
April 22 2005
TROY - Armenians throughout the world will gather on Sunday -
Armenian Martyrs Day - to remember the horrible events of 90 years
ago.
On April 24, 1915, 200 Armenian dignitaries, clergymen and
intellectuals were rounded up and put to death, according to Rafi
Topalian, a representative from the Capital District Armenian Genocide
Committee. This date is considered the official start of the Armenian
Genocide.
Topalian said there are 2,500 Armenians in the Capital District, and
at 7:15 tonight, Troy will host a memorial service at Monument Square
to mourn the loss of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923.
"We would urge Armenians in the Capital District to come and support
us, as well as non-Armenian people of conscious," Topalian said.
He called the Armenian genocide the "template" for other genocides
in the 20th Century.
"Hitler told his generals before invading Poland 'Who, after all,
speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?'" he said. "We
want to remember and continue to get the word out."
The gathering is sponsored by the Armenian National Committee, based
in Washington, D.C.
Mayor Harry Tutunjian, himself an Armenian and honorary CDAGC member,
will be joined by Rep. Michael McNulty, D-Green Island, Watervliet
Mayor Robert Carlson and Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings to address
the gathering.
"It was an honor to be part of it when I was a councilman," Tutunjian
said. "It will be a bigger honor to be part of it now as mayor."
According to Topalian, three out of four Armenians were killed by
the Ottoman Turkish government, and it has taken 50 to 60 years for
the Armenians left and their descendents to organize.
He said the present-day Turkish government is "revisionist" and
lobbies countries not to recognize the Armenian genocide.
"It is against the law to talk about the Armenian genocide in Turkey,"
Topalian said.
The U.S. government does not recognize the genocide, but New York is
one of roughly 30 states that does.
"We're working hard to raise awareness," he added.
The CDAGC, founded in 2000, will take a busload of people to Times
Square in New York City on Sunday, Armenian Martyrs Day, for a
Milestone Commemoration.
Senators Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer are expected to speak,
as well as others.
The cost of the trip is $22 and seating is available but limited.
Call Topalian at 272-2000 if interested.
On May 16, CDAGC will sponsor an event at the state Assembly to
formally recognize the genocide with a resolution and proclaimation.
The public is invited and lunch will be served.