On Sat., April 11, the Turkish-American Cultural Association of Michigan (TACAM) sponsored an event featuring two heavyweight Armenian Genocide deniers—Bruce Fein and Michael Gunter—at Eastern Michigan University (EMU).
The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) “Kopernik Tandourjian” Chapter and the Armenian National Committee of Michigan (ANC of MI) organized a peaceful protest against TACAM’s attempt to use an American institution to distort historical facts and to promote the agenda of the Turkish government.
In a show of silent protest, the AYF youth in attendance stood up and turned their backs to the denialists.
AYF youth came to EMU from all over Michigan to participate in the peaceful protest. They constituted the majority of the audience in the auditorium. Concurrently, approximately 50 members of the Armenian community participated in the protest outside of the auditorium. Within minutes of the opening presentation, one of the speakers indicated that what had happened to the Armenians in 1915 did not constitute genocide and that it should not be labeled as such. In a show of silent protest, the AYF youth in attendance stood up and turned their backs to the denialists, and displayed signs that read, “Armenian history is not for sale,” “Turkish youth: Learn the truth,” and “Morality above politics.” After a few minutes, the AYF members walked out of the auditorium, distributing four-page informational material on denialist efforts along the way. The Turkish crowd was furious at the youth, and invited them to stay and listen to the speakers’ distortion of facts.
“Our youth showed commendable dedication and discipline in the protest,” said AYF board member Taline Bedirian. It was “a strong reminder that [they] did not and will not forget what happened to their ancestors.” Another member of the AYF leadership, Araxie Tossounian, said that “it was inevitable to make a strong statement in face of the agenda of the Turkish government.”Arekel Chopjian, chairman of the AYF Senior chapter, added that “the youth were very motivated to answer the deniers.”
A peaceful protest against denialists Fein and Gunter
The ANC of MI last week wrote a formal letter to the president of EMU, Dr. Susan Martin, to express its concern and disappointment over the university’s hosting of the event.
Dr. Hovig Kouyoumdjian, a member of the ANCA Eastern Region Board, explained that “although discreditable, denialists were doing what they were asked to do, but it is our duty to prevent Turkey’s worldwide campaign of denial by defending our right as Americans to condemn any act of genocide.”
“What happened on Saturday was an act of conveying a powerful message that although 100 long years have passed since the Armenian Genocide, the grandchildren of survivors will always raise the voice of truth until justice is prevailed,” said Armenian community leader Raffi Ourlian.
The Detroit community will continue to host a series of events commemorating the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. On Sat., April 18, the community hosted two prominent speakers—British writer and journalist Robert Fisk, and Armenian-American actor and novelist Eric Bogosian—at the Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn.
A scene from the protest
A scene from the protest
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