Video: Armenians Hold Vigil Outside the White House

A candlelight vigil took place outside the White House yesterday, aimed at reminding the President of the United States about the demand for recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reports Voice of America.

The demand, according to those gathered, is essential for restoring historical justice and preventing similar tragedies in the future. This time, the participants of the vigil also decided to express special gratitude to the U.S. states that played a significant role in aiding the Armenian people affected by the genocide a century ago. "Alabama, California, Mississippi, New York, and Virginia, we will forever be grateful for all the sacrifices you made to save these innocent people," said Nanar Keurkounyan.

From 1916 to 1930, U.S. citizens provided approximately $2.6 billion in aid, equivalent to today's state budget of the Republic of Armenia, through American relief organizations in the Middle East for the Armenians who suffered from the genocide. Only Fresno provided 30 tons of raisins, while about 2,000 tons of clothing was collected in San Francisco, and schoolgirls in Long Beach, California gathered 3,000 cans of condensed milk. Additionally, 2,000 volunteers registered from Virginia, and Mississippi contributed 2,000 tons of corn and 200 tons of flour. This aid helped save countless lives. Today, the descendants of those saved Armenians gathered once again in the U.S. capital, in front of the White House, to raise their demand for historical justice.

"Mr. Trump, recognize the Genocide, but know that if you forget again, I, as a member of the new Armenian-American generation, will assure you that my generation will take ownership of this government and will prove that Armenian history is not a history of annihilation, but a history of rebirth," declared Narek Kuyumjyan during the speech.

It should be noted that the President of the United States traditionally makes a special statement on April 24, commemorating the Armenian massacre that occurred a century ago, which U.S. presidents, starting from Barack Obama, refer to as the Great Catastrophe. The 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, used the term Armenian Genocide in his 1981 statement.