Armenian Protesters Burn Azerbaijani and Turkish Flags on Genocide Remembrance Day

On April 24, 2024, thousands of Armenian protesters gathered in Yerevan and Los Angeles to commemorate the alleged genocide of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. The protesters marched through the streets, waving Armenian flags and burning the flags of Turkey and Azerbaijan.

In Yerevan, the protesters marched to a memorial complex dedicated to the victims of the genocide. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, while using the term 'genocide,' called on his country to focus on building a "competitive and legitimate" nation instead of being haunted by historical trauma.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, home to a large Armenian community, protesters held a rally in the city's Little Armenia district before marching to the Turkish consulate. The demonstration marked the annual observance of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, which has been recognized by the community for years.

In 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden became the first American president to formally recognize the campaign of violence against Armenians as a genocide. On April 24, 2024, Biden reiterated this stance in a statement, recounting the start of the "campaign of cruelty" on that date in 1915 with the arrest of Armenian intellectuals and community leaders.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a message to the Armenian Patriarch, calling for avoiding "radical discourse" on the issue and expressing condolences to the descendants of Armenians who lost their lives. Erdogan stated that the 1915 events were a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties and proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians to research the issue.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry rejected "one-sided statements" about the events of 1915 and called for supporting the normalization process with Armenia.

Why this matters: The recognition of the Armenian Genocide remains a contentious issue, with Turkey and Azerbaijan denying the characterization of the events as genocide. The ongoing tensions and historical disputes continue to strain relations between Armenia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, hindering reconciliation efforts in the region.

The commemoration events in Yerevan and Los Angeles highlighted the enduring pain and trauma experienced by the Armenian community. While Prime Minister Pashinyan acknowledged the genocide, he emphasized the need for Armenia to focus on building a strong and prosperous nation. President Erdogan's message and the Turkish Foreign Ministry's statement reflected Turkey's position on the issue, calling for a balanced historical assessment and supporting the normalization of relations with Armenia.

Key Takeaways

• Thousands of Armenians protested in Yerevan and LA to commemorate 1915 genocide.
• PM Pashinyan called for Armenia to focus on building a "competitive and legitimate" nation.
• Biden formally recognized the 1915 events as genocide, Erdogan called for a joint commission.
• Turkey and Azerbaijan deny the genocide, hindering reconciliation efforts in the region.
• Commemoration events highlighted the enduring trauma for Armenians, despite differing views.