U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday, April 24 released a statement on the 108th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, describing it as a “tragedy thatforever affectedgenerations ofArmenianfamilies.”

“Today, wepause torememberthelives lost during theMedsYeghern—theArmenian Genocide—and renew our pledge to never forget,” Biden said.

“On April 24, 1915, Ottoman authorities arrested Armenian intellectuals and community leaders inConstantinople—the start of asystematiccampaign of violence against the Armenian community.In the years that followed,one and a half millionArmenians were deported, massacred, or marched to their deaths—a tragedy thatforever affectedgenerations ofArmenianfamilies.

“As wejoin nations around the world inremembering this painful history,we also reflect on the resilienceand resolveof the Armenianpeople. So many of those who survived were forced to begin new lives in new lands—including the United States. Here and around the world, the Armenian peoplehavemetthe evil ofhate with hope. They rebuilt their communities.They nurtured their families and preserved their culture.They strengthenedour nation. They alsotoldtheirstories—andthose of their ancestors—to remember and to ensure thatgenocidelike the onethathappened108 years agois neveragainrepeated.

“Today, let us renew this pledge. Let us recommit to speaking out against hate,standing up forhuman rights, andpreventing atrocities. And together, let usredouble our efforts toforgea better future—one whereall peoplecan live with dignity,security,andrespect.”