Los Angeles – The Armenian Youth Federation-Western Region organized a Protest on Monday, April 24, 2006 at the Los Angeles Turkish Consulate located at 6300 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90048, in commemoration of the 1.5 million Armenians who perished at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.

10,000 protestors gathered in front of the Turkish consulate in order to protest against the Turkish government and the lies fabricated about the Armenian Genocide. The protestors demonstrated peacefully in front of the consulate while shouting their demands for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, along with reparations and restitutions that are long overdue. The protest came to an end with a few words by Tro Tchekidjian, chairperson of the Armenian Youth Federation- Western Region. The speech of encouragement ensured the protesters that our struggle and effort would be rewarded. “Recognition is not enough!” Stated Tro Tchekidjian, “For there to be a just resolution, reparations and restitution are also necessary.”The annual protest is one of many events commemorating the first genocide of the 20th century. The protest shows the Turkish government and the community at large that the Armenian people while expanding and achieving great accomplishments over the course of the past decades, will never forget the atrocities of 1915. “The actions of the Turkish government are fresh in our minds until today; we will continue the fight for justice until our goals are achieved.” Stated Shogher Aslanian, protest director. “It is the responsibility of our generation to make a difference.”

AYF has been organizing protests in front of the Turkish consulate for over 25 years. The organization has been successful in gathering more and more of the community to the event every year. With the active participation of the youth and community at large in such events, the AYF is hopeful that it will be our generation who will witness the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and everything that accompanies it.