Michigan community commemorates Armenian Genocide with guest speaker Harut Sassounian
DETROIT, Mich.—The Armenian community of Michigan recently came together to commemorate the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
The Armenian Genocide Committee of Greater Detroit, comprising 11 Armenian community organizations, gathered on April 20 at the Fordson High School auditorium. The event commenced with a flag ceremony and renditions of the United States, Armenia and Artsakh national anthems, conducted by the Homenetmen of Detroit. Christine Santourian, representing the Tekeyan Cultural Organization, emceed the proceedings, calling for remembrance of the past to prevent future atrocities.
Alex Kurkechian from the Armenian Youth Federation-Youth Organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation conveyed a powerful message of youth empowerment, vowing to continue the fight for a free, united and independent Armenia. He stressed the pivotal role of the youth as a beacon of light that shines and gives hope and strength to fight for justice.
Committee chair Raffi Ourlian offered remarks acknowledging the tragic history of the Armenian people while highlighting their resilience and achievements. Ourlian recognized the critical period that Armenia faces but also highlighted the successes Armenians have achieved with their determination and perseverance, such as Operation Nemesis and the first Artsakh War. “Each of you here in this room is a success for our nation; each of you has a unique story of survival, a story of how your family made it past the Genocide and survived,” he concluded.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib of Michigan’s 12th district presented a congressional proclamation marking the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Congress. Rep. Tlaib reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for the Armenian people, stating, “I will never be shy about speaking truth to power when it comes to what happened to the Armenian people and what continues to happen to the Armenian people. I’m tired of us literally sitting back as a country and allowing refugees to be created and people to be uprooted from their land, denied access to their culture and denied access to their history.”
The first guest speaker of the night, Harut Sassounian, publisher of The California Courier, presented a detailed historical account of the Armenian Genocide and the importance of pursuing reparations from the government of Turkey. He called for shifting focus from recognition to reparations and legal demands from the government of Turkey. “The fact is that commemorative resolutions adopted by various countries and statements made on the Armenian Genocide by world leaders have no force of law and therefore no legal consequence,” he said.
ANCA National Committee board member Dzovinar Hatsakordzian welcomed Gev Iskajyan, director of the Armenian National Committee of Artsakh and ANCA Grassroots Director, who stressed the importance of generational work in preserving Armenian identity and advocating for justice, “because to exist to have an identity is a struggle, it is work, and it is work that has been carried out by this community and many communities in the United States.”
Iskajyan called for continued advocacy for Artsakh, the way that Artsakh Armenians have fought for the rest of the Armenian nation for decades. “It’s important to remember,” Iskajyan said, “but that’s not our goal. Our interest does not lie in candlelight vigils; our interest lies in justice. We are working towards freedom and liberation for the Armenian people. Today, the ANCA, more than ever, is dedicated to this cause.”
The event included performances of “Desnem Anin” and “Artsakh” by Hamazkayin of Detroit’s dance group. The Homenetmen scouts joined by proudly carrying the flags of the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh, symbolizing unity and resilience.
