–California Assemblyman Frommer to join the final leg of march
LOS ANGELES–Former US Senator Bob Dole threw his support behind the March For Humanity–with a letter to organizers.
"From 1915 to 1923–1.5 million Armenia’s perished through a policy of deportation–torture–starvation–and massacre," reads Dole’s letter. "Despite the vast numbers of victims–many people remain unaware of this significant tragedy."
The March For Humanity is a 215-mile walk from Fresno to Sacramento. The 19-day trek–which started on April 2–will conclude on April 21 with a rally at 11 a.m. on the steps of the State Capitol building. The Rally For Humanity will feature many elected officials–including California State Assembly Majority Leader Assemblyman Dario Frommer and Speaker Pro-tem Assembly member Leland Yee.
"The March For Humanity brings people together in spirit of remembrance for all those who suffered. The more we spread awareness of such atrocities–the better prepared we are to prevent them in the future," wrote Senator Dole. "Thanks for all you do to educate our nation about this genocide."
California Assemblyman Frommer (D-Glendale) will join the final leg of the march on Thursday morning. "Ninety years ago–the Turks of the Ottoman Empire began a campaign to eliminate all traces of a civilization and its people from the face of the Earth," said Frommer. "It is our responsibility as citizens and human beings to make sure it is remembered and that such appalling crimes are never repeated."
On April 24–Armenia’s worldwide will mark the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire–seeking official recognition and reparations from the Turkish government. Armenia’s took this message to unprecedented levels this week with a nationwide advertising campaign consisting of 30-second commercials to raise awareness about the Armenian genocide.
"Americans have been kept in the dark about the Armenian genocide and the subsequent horrors experienced by its 1.5 million victims," said Vicken Sosikian–director of the March For Humanity. "Our ad campaign aims to educate the public about this crime against all humanity."