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KFSN (ABC), Fresno
April 24 2010
Fresno Remembers the Armenian Genocide
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Shannon Handy
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- It was 95-years ago this month that more than
1-million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Empire.
Commemorating the tragedy has turned into a heated political debate.
California has the largest Armenian-American population, second only
to the Republic of Armenia.
Saturday, hundreds of people commemorated the Armenian Genocide in
Downtown Fresno.
Many say they are frustrated with President Obama because he has not
acknowledged the massacre that took place.
On the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, hundreds of people
marched, delivered speeches and sang songs in Downtown Fresno as a
tribute to both victims and survivors.
"I'm here with my son today, Gregory. He's 4 years old. He needs to
know the injustice that's been done," Hrair Messerlian said.
"Years of genocide, that's going to end a hundred years, fight!"
Historians say between 1915 and 1923, more than 1.5 million Armenians
were massacred by the Turkish Ottoman Empire.
Turkey's government says the deaths were the result of a civil war.
Since then, relations between the two countries have been strained.
President Obama, who acknowledges the deaths will not use the term
genocide. In a statement released Saturday, the president said in
part, quote:
"Today is a day to reflect upon and draw lessons from these terrible
events. I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred in
1915, and my view of that history has not changed."
Valley Congressman Jim Costa remains hopeful those views will soon shift.
"It would be I think very important to acknowledge this horrific
genocide that took place in the first in the 20th century and in fact
it's time for Turkey to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia,"
Rep. Jim Costa said.
The Armenian community here in the valley and around the world vows
they will always fight for injustices their ancestors have faced with
or without the recognition.
"It shows that we are still together and no matter what has happened,
we will still gather together and remember and continue to ask for
recognition for such an important issue," Stephanie Stockdale said.
The ceremony continued Saturday night at the Saint Paul Armenian
Church in Fresno.
Central Valley Armenian Churches is hosting the event which will have
speakers including one of the first Turkish academics to acknowledge
the Armenian Genocide.
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?secti on=news/local&id=7404746
April 24 2010
Fresno Remembers the Armenian Genocide
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Shannon Handy
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- It was 95-years ago this month that more than
1-million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Empire.
Commemorating the tragedy has turned into a heated political debate.
California has the largest Armenian-American population, second only
to the Republic of Armenia.
Saturday, hundreds of people commemorated the Armenian Genocide in
Downtown Fresno.
Many say they are frustrated with President Obama because he has not
acknowledged the massacre that took place.
On the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, hundreds of people
marched, delivered speeches and sang songs in Downtown Fresno as a
tribute to both victims and survivors.
"I'm here with my son today, Gregory. He's 4 years old. He needs to
know the injustice that's been done," Hrair Messerlian said.
"Years of genocide, that's going to end a hundred years, fight!"
Historians say between 1915 and 1923, more than 1.5 million Armenians
were massacred by the Turkish Ottoman Empire.
Turkey's government says the deaths were the result of a civil war.
Since then, relations between the two countries have been strained.
President Obama, who acknowledges the deaths will not use the term
genocide. In a statement released Saturday, the president said in
part, quote:
"Today is a day to reflect upon and draw lessons from these terrible
events. I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred in
1915, and my view of that history has not changed."
Valley Congressman Jim Costa remains hopeful those views will soon shift.
"It would be I think very important to acknowledge this horrific
genocide that took place in the first in the 20th century and in fact
it's time for Turkey to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia,"
Rep. Jim Costa said.
The Armenian community here in the valley and around the world vows
they will always fight for injustices their ancestors have faced with
or without the recognition.
"It shows that we are still together and no matter what has happened,
we will still gather together and remember and continue to ask for
recognition for such an important issue," Stephanie Stockdale said.
The ceremony continued Saturday night at the Saint Paul Armenian
Church in Fresno.
Central Valley Armenian Churches is hosting the event which will have
speakers including one of the first Turkish academics to acknowledge
the Armenian Genocide.
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?secti on=news/local&id=7404746