Wilshire Blvd. Shut Down on April 24 as Thousands Converge on Turkish Consulate in LA

LOS ANGELES–Wilshire Blvd. at San Vicente and McCarthy Vista was shut down on Saturday April 24 as thousands rallied in the street across from the Turkish Consulate to demand justice and recognition for the Armenian Genocide after 95 years of cover up from the Turkish government.

The demonstration, organized by the Armenian Youth Federation, came hours after President Barack Obama refused, for a second time, to uphold his campaign pledge and properly characterize the crime committed against the Armenian people as Genocide.

Angered and feeling betrayed by their president,  Armenian Americans called on Obama on Saturday to lift the foreign gag-rule imposed on US policy by the Turkish government and its hired lobbyists. Demonstrators also criticized Turkey for its 95-year campaign of genocide denial, which has been intensified in recent years as a response to a growing movement for genocide recognition both in and out of Turkey. Activists also derided the failed Turkish-Armenian protocols and threats by Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan to deport Turkey’s Armenian population if efforts to win US recognition of the genocide do not end.

Speaking at the event were AYF-WR Chairman Arek Santikian, ARF Activist Mico Melkonian, and LA City Council Member Paul Krekorian.

We present photos and video footage below:

AYF Chairman Arek Santikian speaks about the urgency and force of a new generation seeking justice for the Armenian Genocide

KTLA Channel 5 coverage of the protest featuring AYF member Vache Thomassian

An Areal View of the Protest shot from the top of a U-Haul Truck

LA City Councilmen Paul Krekorian Speaks at April 24 Protest

AYF Member Tro Krikorian Discusses Worldwide Movement for Armenian Genocide Recognition

Nareen Melkonian talks about her personal fight against Armenian Genocide denial

Protesters close down Wilshire Blvd.

Street Footage from the protest

ANC Activist Vicken Sonentz Papazian talks about importance of commemorating Genocide 95 years after crime

Time For US Government to Recognize Genocide, Says ANC-WR Chairperson Aida Dimejian

AYF Chairman Arek Santikian speaks to sold out crowd at Silence the Lies! Rock the Truth! benefit concert

Armenians Remember the Pain and Will Continue to Struggle for Genocide Recognition

Jim Lafferty from KPFK speaks on Armenian Genocide at AYF Silence the Lies Benefit Concert

The Armenian Diasporan youth are always at the front lines when it comes to demanding recognition of the Armenian Genocide, but stories of the individual youths often goes untold. April 24 2010 marks the 95th anniversary of the beginning of a systematic operation committed by the Young Turks, which killed 1.5 million Armenians and the Armenian youth are mobilizing as they always do.

Talar Kakilian, a member of the Armenian Youth Federation, an activist for the Armenian National Committee and recent winner of the AYF “Nanor Krikorian” Scholarship is one out of the multitude of young Armenians who are dedicated to achieving recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

“I continue to fight for genocide recognition out of respect for my ancestors who were tortured, beaten, and murdered, and yet, still denied justice. I feel it is my duty to my ancestors to fight on their behalf until their story is heard,” she told Haytoug. “Also, by recognizing the first genocide of the 20th century, we will one day, hopefully, be able to prevent further genocides.”

Kaklian’s great-grandfather survived the genocide through extraordinary circumstances, but had to endure many hardships, as many others did. As the Turkish gendarmes had all the Armenian men lined up in the city square he escaped with the soldiers following him. Spotting a house, he quickly ran in and asked for help; the Greek man hid him in a ditch covered with wood for three days, until after they were sure that the Turks had left. On her mother’s side, Talar’s grandfather had to watch his father get beheaded, his baby sister murdered, his older sisters taken away, and his mother die of trauma. All alone, he was forced to march through Der-Zor until one day he finally escaped and found refuge near an old Arab widow.

“Throughout the year I am able to get my voice heard through various projects I take on; I keep my culture alive through teaching Armenian history to younger Armenian students, but the annual protest is the one day of the year when I get my frustrations out,” Talar said. “I am able to yell; getting the frustration I feel all year out through simply chanting in unison with Armenians and non-Armenians alike.”

BY RAZMIG SARKISSIAN

The El Rey Theatre will be sold out Saturday April 24th as various Armenian bands including Viza, Element, The Dirty Diamond, and R-Mean join together for the “Silence the Lies, Rock the Truth” benefit concert, scheduled to start at 8:00pm.

“Music is our way of connecting with people and being able to get a message across to a wide range of audiences – especially human rights activists as it’s the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide,” explained Chris Daniel, Viza’s percussionist. “It’s the least we could do to give back to the people back home and for us to create not just an artistically powerful night but an experience of unity through our music.”

This year’s “Silence the Lies, Rock the Truth” concert will provide financial assistance to two important benevolent projects. The Armenian Relief Society’s “Armenia-Artsakh Orphan Project” and “the Bird’s Nest Orphanage” in Lebanon both provide vital support and assistance to needy Armenian children abroad.

“The donation of the money is both symbolic and practical in its importance,” Chris added, “It is a gesture of solidarity and support – something to help them get through difficult times and show everyone we do not forget those that need us.”

Through the various instruments he plays, Chris carries on his Armenian culture and history through his music. “I’d have to say speaking and connecting with the younger generation of Armenians feels fulfilling to me because I feel like I’m doing the great deed of what my elders had done for me. We as the youth and future leaders of our generation, we carry on our culture and history.”

Viza, formerly known as Visa, is a mix of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Eastern European and Latin cultures. A nine person band, Viza demands the attention of its audience mixing joyous times with educating individuals about the past that they have not forgotten.

By Arpa Hatzbanian

During the Armenian Genocide, my ancestors–the people of Musa Dagh–were one of the only groups who were able to fight back and defend themselves. Today, like my ancestors, I choose not to be an observer to atrocities and oppression. For me, working tirelessly to resist the same injustice which my forebears died for is not a choice, but a duty.

My maternal ancestors originated from Musa Dagh, a mountainous region on the Mediterranean coast. During the Armenian Genocide, the people of Musa Dagh were exiled from their homes and given only eight days to evacuate. They gathered all their weaponry and food, embarking on a climb to the mountaintops. The villagers protected themselves against the 200-person Turkish special army, because they were more experienced in the mountainous terrain. Although victorious in resistance, they soon ran out of living necessities and were forced to leave the mountains. They were saved by a French ship, who heard their plea for help. Despite promises that they would one day return to their homes, they never did.

Everyday is an ongoing struggle within the Armenian community. At times our own government gives up on our Cause because it is a difficult inner conflict to overcome. We are constantly faced with the choice to either accept the pain and let it slowly ware off, or work vigorously day in and day out for recognition. It is my personal choice to take the more difficult route, and work for my Cause rather then let the memory of my ancestors be forgotten and ignored.

In order to fight for recognition of the Armenian Genocide, I work yearlong within effective organizations such as the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) and the Armenian National Committee (ANC) in informing the world about the atrocities of 1915 and the crimes still being committed by the Turkish government.

Recently, I have helped with the AYF’s annual April 24 protest in front of the Turkish Consulate. Thousands gather yearly in Los Angeles, to show that the Armenian people have not given up. Also, I work with the United Human Rights Council (UHRC), to help prevent other human rights violations from happening around the world today.

The struggle of my ancestors has encouraged me to fight for justice. When I look at my grandmother and the pain that will never go away, I am inspired to use that pain as a muse to work even harder against injustice.

As an Armenian, I am obligated to work for my Cause. But, as global citizens, we are all obligated to work for a more peaceful and stable world for our future generations to live in.

You too can demand justice and honor the memory of our fallen.  Here are details to the April 24 protest at the Turkish consulate.