About 10,000 Armenians launch torch-light march to commemorate mass killings by Ottoman Turks
By APFriday, April 23, 2010
10,000 Armenians march to remember mass killings
YEREVAN, Armenia — About 10,000 people have taken part in a torch-light procession to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks.
Friday’s march across the Armenian capital was staged by the nationalist Dashnak-Tsutyun party’s youth wing.
Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks around the time of World War I. Turkey denies that the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated and those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.
The demonstrators burned a banner with images of Turkish leaders. They carried placards with slogans such as “We demand compensation from Turkey!” and “The recognition time is now!”
The Armenians will mark the 95th anniversary of the slayings on Saturday.
