* Armenian Youth Federation leads community in protest against denial of Genocide.
WASHINGTON–An energetic and excited crowd of more than 250 Armenia’s protested the Turkish government’s ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide and Turkish President Suleyman Demirel’s visit to the United States at a community-wide demonstration outside the Turkish Embassy–reported the Armenian National Committee of the Greater Washington (ANC-GW).
The demonstrators–representing a wide cross-section of the Armenian American community–as well as members of the Cypriot–Greek and Kurdish communities–gathered at Sheridan Circle–across the street from the Embassy for the three hour rally against the Turkish government’s attempt to rewrite the history of the Genocide of more than 1.5 million Armenia’s.
Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) joined with the protesters–delivering a powerful speech against the Turkish government’s continued denial of the Armenian Genocide. He praised the vigilance of all those demonstrating against injustice–describing the peaceful protest as an important element of the fight against the Turkish government’s revisionist campaign.
The message of the demonstrators was heard loud and clear inside the Embassy–as guests arrived for a reception in honor of the Turkish President. The crowd–ranging in age from new-born infants to the elderly–rang out with a steady rhythm of chants reminding Demirel’s guests that their support for Turkey is equivalent to complicity in the denial of the Armenian Genocide. Individuals walking in and out of the Turkish Embassy were admonished for their unconscionable actions in honoring Demirel in the face of his country’s continued abuse of human rights and violation of international laws. Demonstrators held up signs demanding an immediate end to Turkish aggression against Armenia’s–Kurds and Cypriots.
The event–which was covered by the Washington Post and ABC News–ended with the singing of Armenian patriotic songs.