U.S. Armenian activists launch End the Cycle of Genocide event

PanARMENIAN.Net - Each year on April 24th millions of Armenians and their descendants from around the world commemorate the Armenian Genocide, which was perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks. From 1915 to 1923, over 1.5 million Armenians were systematically murdered - while others were starved and driven out of their homelands.



This year hundreds of volunteer human rights activists of Armenian and non-Armenian descent traveled from all around the country to Washington, DC to participate in the annual "End the Cycle of Genocide" event organized by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and Genocide Intervention Network (Gi-Net). Activists are meeting with elected officials to garner support on recognition of the Armenian Genocide and work to end the genocide in Darfur.



On April 22, Paul D. Saryian, a former North Shore candidate for City Council, visited the U.S. Capitol and met with Congressman Michael McMahon (D-13) on behalf of the hundreds of Staten Islanders of Armenian descent to discuss and support the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res. 252), the ANCA told PanARMENIAN.Net



"It was a wonderful opportunity to meet with Congressman McMahon to discuss these important human rights issues. Recognizing the Armenian Genocide honors our American values and our ability to speak out on crimes against humanity," commented Saryian. "I am confident that the Congressman will do the right thing."



Saryian, whose grandparents survived the Armenian Genocide, would like to see Turkey acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, the wrongs of the past Ottoman Empire and have them lift the trade blockade with Armenia to promote an atmosphere of cooperation between both cultures.



To date, 42 states, including New York, have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide.