Turkish Consulate Protest Attracts 2000

Los Angeles, CA – The Armenian Youth Federation Western United States Garo Madenlian Public Affairs Office announced that close to 2000 protestors gathered at the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles Saturday afternoon demanding Turkish recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

The youthful crowd of protestors picketed in front of the Turkish Consulate spanning across two blocks of Wilshire Blvd. With such signs as “Genocide Unpunished is Genocide Encouraged,” and “Turkey stop historical Revisionism.”

“The Polish government officially recognized the Armenian Genocide this past week,” said Marie Minassian, Director of the Protest. “We are grateful for the integrity and courage they displayed in the face of Turkish threats and are hopeful that our government, here in the US, will follow suit shortly,” explained Minassian.

About two hours after marching across the Turkish Consulate, the protestors gathered in front of the Turkish Consulate, where Melkon Melkonian addressed the crowd from atop of a cargo truck. Emphasizing on the fact that over 80% of the gathered protestors at the Turkish Consulate were youth, Melkonian said that this generation, along with future generations of Armenian American youth will continue its demands for the return of Western Armenia, proper reparations, and justice.

The Turkish Consulate protest, which has been organized for the last thirty years attracted all major broadcast and print media and concluded with the singing of the Armenian National Anthem.