WASHINGTON–Armenian Americans demanded justice for the Armenian Genocide, drawing a spotlight on Turkey’s abuse at home and aggression abroad at the annual April 24th protest organized by the Armenian Youth Federation Washington Ani Chapter, in cooperation with the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Greater Washington, DC.
This year’s protest, which included the support of area Greek, Assyrian, Yezidi and Kurdish communities, was held at Sheridan Circle, across from the Turkish Ambassador’s residence, the site of the May, 2017, attacks, ordered by President Erdogan against peaceful protesters. Over 50 students from the Holy Martyrs Ferrahian Armenian School 8th grade class and Members of the Hye Riders Armenian motorcycle club from Southern California and Toronto, Canada traveled to the nation’s Capital to lend their voices to the annual Armenian Genocide protest. The rally was covered by CBS News and Al-Jazeera News and live streamed by Voice of America Armenian Service.
AYF Washington Ani Chapter member Alex Manoukian offered a powerful message of unity and resurrection in the face of Turkey’s Genocide denial and their worldwide campaign of intolerance. “About a year ago, the personal security of dictator Erdogan attacked and viciously beat peaceful Armenian and Kurdish protesters on this very street. Today we have gathered on that same very street to stand up against hate as Armenians and as citizens of the United States of America and people concerned with human rights.â€
