Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Hakop Tataryan
Staff Writer
It has been 89 years since the Armenian Genocide took place, and to this day Armenians all over the world gather on April 24 to commemorate those who innocently lost their lives. The Armenian Students Organization (ASO) and Armenian Studies Program organized an event in honor of the genocide on Friday, April 23. Students and community members gathered at the Free Speech Area at Fresno State and took part in the activity. Attendees wore red arm-bands, which symbolized the blood shed by 1.5 million Armenians during the 1915 Genocide.
The event opened with ASO president Dickran Chekian introducing keynote speaker Californian State Senator Chuck Poochigian. In 2000, Senator Poochigian authored Senate Bill 1915 which enabled victims and heirs of victims of the Armenian Genocide to access the California court system to compel insurance companies to pay insurance claims owed to victims of the Genocide. That bill received the unanimous approval of the Legislature and provided the opportunity to pursue contractual claims pertaining to the recent settlement.
Senator Poochigian spoke about the genocide and its importance to Armenians around the world and in the United States. As he spoke his voice cracked several times, recalling all of the innocent people that died in the genocide.
“It was a year’s long experience for a people who were victims of complete, vile, and despicable acts of atrocity. One and a half million men and women were forced out of their homes and onto death marches,” said Poochigian.
After the senator’s speech, Sevag Tateosian recited a poem called “You Will Fall” by the famous poet Vahan Tekeyan, who himself had barely escaped the genocide. Next, ASO Vice-President Armen Postoyan read a brief statement on the importance of maintaining the fight for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the United States government.
As Armenian duduk music played in the background the event ended with the campus tradition of placing flowers on a scale-model of the Dzidzernagapert Martyrs Monument, located in Yerevan, Armenia.
As more and more countries are recognizing the genocide, it is imperative to maintain the fight for recognition. Just recently the Canadian Parliament recognized the Armenian Genocide. With the passing of time the Armenians are showing their vitality around the world.
Events like this one at the Free Speech Area are testaments to our determination and our love for our heritage. “Its great to see so many people come out and pay their respects,” said ASO president Chekian.
Around 150 students and community members attended the noon commemoration.