Banner in West Hartford marks anniversary of Armenian Genocide

Banner in West Hartford marks anniversary of Armenian Genocide –

WEST HARTFORD NEWS – Between April 13-20, residents may notice a large red, blue and orange banner stating “We Remember the Armenian Genocide” at the intersection of Main St. and Farmington Ave. in West Hartford, Connecticut.

The banner commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, when more than 1,500,000 Armenian men, women and children living in the Ottoman Empire died through a systematic government program of mass deportation, starvation and outright murder.

This past Sunday, Pope Francis conducted a special memorial service for the victims of the Armenian Genocide committed by the Ottoman Turks.

The word itself “genocide” was coined by Raphael Lemkin who specifically referred to the 1915 killings of the Armenians as genocide.

This year the Armenian Genocide will be commemorated at a solemn ceremony in Hartford, Saturday, April 18 at 11 a.m. The key-note speaker will be the accomplished writer Chris Bohjalian, author of multiple New York Times best sellers including “The Sand Castle Girls.” All are welcomed to attend.