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

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