Letter: Continued action is encouraging

One hundred years of denial, 100 years of persistence. When will the souls the 1.5 million victims of the 20th century’s first genocide rest in peace?

On April 19 I attended the 100th anniversary commemoration the Armenian Genocide at the Armenian Youth Assn. of California. I was impressed by the thoughtfulness and tremendous work effort behind the presentations. Most impressive was the apparent shift from the mourning stage to the more solemn and strong demand for justice and restitution. It was invigorating to see young boys and girls in their speeches and recitals portray the genocide and demand Turkey recognize its atrocities and make full restitution to the victims.

Seto Boyajian, an acclaimed attorney and political activist for the Armenian cause, explained to those assembled what the Armenian National Committee of America has done, what they are doing and what they will do in regard to the Armenian cause in general and the genocide in particular. He praised Pope Francis for allowing a mass to be held for the victims and for accepting that the atrocities committed by the Ottomans against that Armenian people was the first genocide of the 20th century. Boyajian said we should demand full restitution from Turkey through legal means. He said the Genocide Convention of 1948 and its retroactive enforcement power makes this viable.

The commemoration ceremony concluded by the Gomidas choir of the association, conducted by Michael Avedisian, accompanied by Hovsep Torossian on the piano, singing a few appropriate songs for the occasion. The only comment I have here is that the hall was too small for a professional level choir such as this.

More power and perseverance to the association.

Papkin Hovasapian
Glendale