Thousands of people took to the streets of Hollywood to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in 1915. One hundred years later, neither the Turkish government nor our own president recognize the deaths of over 1 million Armenians as a "genocide."
Today is the day the genocide is remembered, because on April 24, 1915—also known as Red Sunday—300 Armenian leaders were rounded up and deported or killed, and around 5,000 poor Armenians were killed in and around Istanbul. There have been massive marches all around the world.
Today's anniversary is a big deal in Los Angeles County, which is home to nearly 194,000 Armenians, according to the census. About a third of residents in Glendale are Armenian. Today's march kicked off at Hollywood Boulevard and Western Avenue where local elected officials dedicated the southeast corner Armenian Genocide Memorial Square, according to City News Service. City Councilman Mitch O'Farrell called the marker a "show that the city of Los Angeles recognizes the history of the Armenian Genocide, as well as the impact the event had on the Armenian community."
The march for justice continued through Hollywood to the Fairfax district, home of the Turkish Consulate at 6300 Wilshire Blvd, where counterprotesters awaited marchers' arrival.
Here are some photos and video from today's march:
Turkish counter-protesters were out today as well:
There are reports that it got a little hairy when the two groups met:
