Fresno Armenian community to commemorate Ottoman Turks genocide
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – April 24 marks 109 years since the beginning of the Armenian Genocide, and local leaders joined Fresno’s Armenian community to remember the 1.5 million lives lost to the Ottoman Turks.
The Armenian Genocide, also known as Medz Yeghern, has had an impact on just about every Armenian. The Fresno Armenian community began honoring the lives lost on Wednesday morning.
“Today we come together to remember one of the most heinous crimes committed against humanity, the Armenian Genocide,” Fresno City Councilmember Mike Karbassi said.
The Fresno Armenian community is coming together to honor the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide, starting with a flag raising at city hall.
“Today we gather together to raise the Armenian flag. A symbol of resilience, cultural pride, and the enduring spirit of the Armenian people. But this flag also carries a heavy weight of history. A reminder of a dark chapter,” Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said.
Multiple local, state, and national leaders took to the podium to express their unity with Armenians.
“We pain today for the suffering, not only of the one and a half million Armenians, but their families. Because in their families their spirit lives on. And each and every one of you has a story,” Congressman Jim Costa said.
Congressman Adam Schiff, now a top contender for the US Senate, highlighted why the Armenian plight continues and why action needs to be taken.
“I’ve seen the persistent struggle to achieve recognition of the genocide. Tragically, it took the United States a long time to go on record itself. But finally, we did. But we see modern acts of annihilation directed at Armenian people,” Congressman Adam Schiff said.
Following the flag-raising, Congressman Costa and Schiff all proceeded to the Soghomon Tehlirian monument at the Armenian cemetery to lay a wreath in honor of the man who killed the main architect of the Armenian Genocide.
“So many members have lost complete parts of their family to this genocide. But all Americans need to understand the horror of what took place from 1915-1923,” Congressman Schiff said.
Schiff says that the United States’ recognition of the Armenian genocide is progress, but that more work needs to be done.
“We need to continue to press Turkey to come to grips with its own history. To come to grips with its own recognition of the genocide, but also to make restitution to the victims,” Congressman Schiff said.
