Driving around today it’s hard to miss the flurry of Armenian flags, signs and banners attached to cars, store fronts, and even over bridges commemorating the Armenian Genocide. All too often Non-Armenians get the wrong impressions from what can seem to be a celebration rather than a commemoration. However, today is not and should not be about a celebration. Today is a day to remember.
95 years ago the Ottoman Empire began the systematic execution of over 1.5 million Armenians. On the evening of April 24th, 1915 over 250 Armenian community leaders and intellectuals were arrested in what is modern day Istanbul. The night would begin a series of coordinated arrests and executions of the Armenian leaders and citizens throughout the region. Later, death marches would begin. Women and children, often shoeless would be forced by well-fed and well-hydrated Ottoman Soldiers to march into the desert to death camps. Along the way women and children were robbed and even raped in front of Ottoman Soldiers who would choose not to interfere.
The Armenian Genocide like the Holocaust is a tale of gruesome inhumanity. The lessons cannot be forgotten. Recognition is a necessary step to begin the healing for millions of Armenians world-wide.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian’s Office assembled a small film which features one of the last living survivors of the genocide. I’ve put it up below. Today please be respectful. Remember the capacity for cruelty that humanity enjoys and vow to never be a part of it. 1915 never again.
