Exhibit commemorating Armenian Genocide opens in Montebello

PanARMENIAN.Net - Montebello city officials debuted an exhibit called the "The Ongoing Armenian Genocide: Death, Denial and Desecration" from the Armenian Library and Museum of America to commemorate the 98th anniversary of the first genocide of the 20th century, sgvtribune.com reports.

The temporary display is in addition to the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument that was first unveiled in April 1968 at Bicknell Park.

"I have been a citizen and resident of Montebello for too many years and I remember in 1968 when this council had the fortitude, strength and belief in justice and fairness to stand up against all odds ... like they always have for justice and fairness," said Levon Kirakosian, a member of the Armenian National Committee of America San Gabriel Valley Chapter.

"You have carried the legacy of your forefathers who were here before," Kirakosian said to the council.

The exhibit demonstrates how from 1915 through 1923 as many as 1.5 million Armenians were systematically slain by the Ottoman Turks in what was then the Ottoman Empire.

"The importance of the exhibit is not only to call Turkey to task," Kirakosian said. "It's for education. It's to understand that we will never again allow this to happen. We have seen it in Darfur, Rwanda and other places. We have to, as a people, say genocide is not just a crime against humanity. It's a crime against all of us. "