WASHINGTON, DC – The Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) today launched an online campaign to pressure internet giant Google into complicity in its denial of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The move comes in response to Google’s recent decision to stand by its “Don’t be Evil” motto by stopping advertisements, placed by the TCA, which drove internet traffic to websites denying the Armenian Genocide. The TCA’s earlier Google Ads were triggered with search entries including “Armenia”, “Armenian”, “Armenian Genocide” and led to the Turkish Coalition of America website which includes revisionist materials denying the centrally planned and systematically carried out campaign of extermination of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Turkish Government from 1915-1923. The group also advocates against passage of Congressional legislation, H.Res.252, recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

“The Turkish Coalition of America’s efforts to strong-arm Google to join their Armenian Genocide denial campaign is as misguided as their broader efforts to cover-up this crime against humanity,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We commend Google for reviewing its ad policy and respecting its ‘Don’t be Evil’ motto by turning down ads advocating hate and lies.”

Google reviewed its policy on running Armenian Genocide denial ads in June, 2009, after receiving thousands of letters from concerned Armenian Americans and human rights activists expressing outrage at the ads. An ANCA Action Alert distributed on May 28th explained that “These ads are misleading to Google patrons, profoundly offensive to victims and survivors of all genocides, and contribute to an environment of outright denial and impunity in the face of mass atrocities that continues to fuel the cycle of genocide to this very day.” A Facebook Causes page, titled “Stop Turkey’s Anti-Armenian Genocide Propaganda on Google AdWords!” has over 9100 members.

The ANCA has posted an alert urging activists to contact Google in support of their policy against genocide denial. Click here to take action.