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Connecticut Armenians Commemorate
Genocide
 HARTFORD, Conn.—On Sat., April 26, over 120 Armenians
gathered at the Hartford State Capitol for a commemorative
service in recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reported
the ANCA-Eastern Region.
The program included an invocation from the local Armenian
churches; recognition of Armenian Genocide survivors in the
Connecticut area; remarks by Rep. John Geragosian (D); a
presentation of a proclamation by the governor; remarks and
singing by the youth; and requiem service. Greg Kuo from the
Genocide Intervention Network (GI-Net) gave an update on the
actions the GI-Net is taking to include the teachings of
genocide in the school system.
The keynote speaker, ANCA Eastern Region director Karine
Birazian, talked about taking action and being part of the
solution. During her comments, she said, “As Samantha Power,
a Pulizer Prize-winner for her book A Problem From Hell has
discussed on several occasions, you can either be a
bystander or an upstander. I implore all of you to become
upstanders and not watch another survivor pass without
proper recognition or watch another Darfurian die. We must
continue, as Armenian-Americans, to raise our voices about
the truth and ensure that our children will not have to bear
witness to similar atrocities.”
Following the special requiem service, a madagh was donated
by the St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian
Church of the Holy Resurrection, and the St. George Armenian
Apostolic Church, where gatherers met with Birazian.
Earlier that week on April 24, community members gathered at
the State Capitol for an annual Armenian flag raising
ceremony. Following the events, Geragosian commented, “For
years we have been told that it is ‘not a good time’ to
press for such a resolution. Enough is enough. It’s time for
us to come to grips with what many nations the world over
have already recognized—that the 1915 massacre of Armenians
was a genocide.”
As majority caucus chair, Geragosian was elected to the
Connecticut House of Representatives in 1994. Representing
the 25th district located in New Britain, he serves on the
Appropriations, Insurance and Real Estate, and Judiciary
Committees.
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