Campus Commemorates April 24th-Armenian Genocide Day-With Solemn Ceremony

Members of the Armenian Students Organization, faculty, and staff gathered at Fresno State for an Armenian Genocide Commemorative event at the Free Speech area on April 24.

ZHANNA BAGDASAROV
EDITOR

The United States Ambassador to the Ottoman Turkish Empire, Henry Morgenthau, witnessed atrocities carried out against the Armenians at the hands of Young Turks. His memoir, Ambassador Morgenthau's Story, has been published, and corroborates evidence on the Armenian Genocide against the denialist claims of the Turkish government. The following is a quote from his book:

"...I am confident that the whole history of the human race contains no such horrible episode as this. The great massacres and persecutions of the past seem almost insignificant when compared to the suffering of the Armenian race in 1915."

-Henry Morgenthau, U. S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire

Flowers are placed at the base of the Genocide monument in the Free Speech Area, in memory of the victims of 1915. The commemoration event took place at noon on April 24.

At noon on April 24, the Armenian Studies Program and the Armenian Students Organization (ASO) of Fresno State commemorated the ninety-first anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Students and community members gathered in the Free Speech Area to pay their respects to the fallen martyrs. Posters, photographs, and various slogans depicting facts about the Genocide were held by members of the ASO. Solemn sounds of the duduk could be heard around various parts of campus, as ASO members distributed red ribbons to those present, symbolizing support, remembrance, and eternal respect.

The event officially began when ASO President Kristine Pogosyan spoke briefly about the significance of the yearly commemoration and presented reasons why April 24 was chosen as day of remembrance.

Kristine Pogosyan

This speech was followed by Gary Krboyan's reading of the ASI resolution that he will be presenting to the Associated Students Senate at Fresno State. The resolution asks for official acceptance of the Armenian Genocide and designation of April 23-29 as the week of remembrance of the atrocities committed by the Turkish government. Krboyan also read a statement by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger acknowledging the Armenian Genocide. Krboyan's speech was followed by readings of a survivor's testimonial and a moving poem entitled "The Armenian Spirit" by Gayane Frnzyan, Vice-President of ASO. This concluded the student presentations and speeches.

Barlow Der Mugrdechian

Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the Armenian Studies Program, serving as the keynote speaker, delivered a thought-provoking speech calling upon the students and community members to get involved and to be active community participants. He emphasized that no matter how hectic our daily lives may get, we will continue to gather in the Free Speech Area every year paying our respects to the Armenian martyrs.

Gary Krboyan

The event concluded with the traditional placing of flowers on a replica of the Martyrs Monument standing in Yerevan, Armenia. The sounds of the duduk could again be heard in the background as each student made their way to the monument. Students lined up to silently place a single carnation on the Monument and take a moment to think about the events that occurred 91 years ago.

Gayane Frnzyan

The tradition of commemorating the Armenian Genocide has been part of Fresno State for over forty years. This tradition will continue every year with the support and participation of students and community members.