On Friday April 22, the Armenian Council of America (ACA) was informed by its membership that Turkish denialist have targeted the “Little Armenia” neighborhood in Los Angeles California. The denialists were gluing posters on various walls in the neighborhood promoting ‘Fact Check Armenia” which denies that the genocide of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire took place, contrary to the consensus of most historians.
As an ACA member attempted to remove posters adjacent to Congressman Adam Schiff’s disctrict office, she was confronted by three individuals in a van, who claimed to be working with the Armenian Government promoting peace between the two nations by putting up the posters. Yet the two men and one woman could not address simple questions about Armenians or even the Armenian government, nor would they provide contact information regarding their initiative.
Elected officials representing “Little Armenia” vehemently condemn such actions of the denialist when they were informed by ACA of what was transpiring.
“It’s offensive to see Genocide denial propaganda on the same streets where this weekend tens of thousands will march to remember the Armenian Genocide,” said Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA 28th District). “So long as we raise our voices to speak the truth, the campaign of denial by Turkey and its allies will never succeed,” added Congressman Schiff.
“Posting these absurd signs promoting the denial of the Armenian Genocide is inaccurate and distasteful,” said Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles). “There is no room in my district or in California for individuals to wrongfully distort the Armenian Genocide.”
“The City of Los Angeles has unequivocally voiced its recognition of the Armenian Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire in 1915, and its support of the Armenian-American community’s efforts for justice and recognition by our Federal government.” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell. “This campaign of denial does not change historical truths and is detrimental for the creation of peace and mutual understanding between Armenia and Turkey.”
“As a resident of Little Armenia, I am appalled and deeply disturbed by the actions of this Turkish group who has the audacity to post anti Armenian Genocide propaganda in the heart of the very district which was declared last year as the Armenian Genocide Memorial Square by Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell,” said ACA Board Member, Ms. Maria Yepremian. “It appears that the latest campaign denying the Armenian Genocide has been well-coordinated and funded. That is why it is imperative that Armenian American communities throughout the nation take a united stand against such blatant attempts to revise history.”
Earlier this month, “Fact Check Armenia” paid for a billboard with a similar ad to be placed near Boston’s Armenian Heritage Park, and different parts of the country including New York and San Francisco.
