Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Wednesday, April 20, issued a statement in response to the 96th anniversary of the beginning of the Armenian Genocide, Asbarez reported.

“Today, Angelenos stand in solidarity with Armenians around the world as we come together to pay our respects to those who perished in one of the worst travesties of the 20th century: the unjust murder of 1.5 million Armenian men, woman and children,” he said.

“As Mayor of a City that is home to a large, vibrant Armenian community, I humbly call on all Angelenos to reflect on how global silence enables the horrors of genocide to continue, even to this day. Let today serve as a reminder of our collective obligation to honor the memory of those who perished, and recognize the atrocities of ethnic cleansing that still occur around the world today.”