Senator advocates acknowledgment of Armenian Genocide

By Elizabeth Leffall

In an emotionally charged ceremony, Sen. Chuck Poochigian called for acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 in the Free Speech Area, Friday.

“ April 24 represents a massacre of our people,” Poochigian said.

“ Today represents 89 years of remembering an act by a young Turkish government, a sadistic people, who arrested and murdered our people in Constantinople,” Poochigian said.

Poochigian choked back emotion as he described the effects the genocide had on his culture and family.

“ 1.5 million people died between 1915 and 1916 as a result of rule under the Ottoman Empire,” he said. “My grandparents’ lives were directly affected by this atrocity. They had to see family members split and many never saw each other again. My family and my people live with that knowledge every day.”

During the ceremony, various speakers encouraged the community to continue to recognize the Turkish government’s part in the Armenian Genocide.

Professor of Armenian studies Barlow Der Mugrdechian said the event, organized by the Armenian Students Organization (ASO), was designed to bring about awareness and recognition.

“ I think it’s important that this commemoration takes place on campus to educate both students and non-students that such an atrocity took place,” Der Mugrdechian said.

ASO club members dressed in black, wearing red armbands as they participated in the ceremony.

Sevag Tateosian, a criminology senior, read a poem to music entitled, “You will Fall” by author Vahan Tekeyan.

A replica of the martyr’s monument in Armenia called ‘Dzidzernagapert’ was recreated for the event. Translated, the monument means the citadel of swallows. Dikran Chekian, a business senior and the current ASO president, said the swallow is used because it is a bird that always returns to the nest. The 12 gray slabs that make up the citadel represent the 12 regions of people east of Turkey and west of Armenia lost in the genocide.

Poochigian said progress is being made to have the event recognized internationally.

Most recently, on April 22, the Canadian Parliament recognized the genocide of Armenians as a crime to humanity.

“ We must put confidence before expedience.” Poochigian said. “We encourage Turkey to admit that the genocide took place and commit to their history and restoration. Commitment to justice should never stop at the grave,” he said.