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Thousands March in Montreal for Genocide Prevention

March for Humanity Also Honored All Victims of Genocides of the 20th Century

MONTREAL, Canada—Thousands of activists marched in downtown Montreal on May 8, in honor of the memory of genocide victims of the 20th century, as well as to raise awareness to help prevent atrocities from taking place.

Thousands of activists marched in downtown Montreal on May 8. (Photo: Nareg Rezian)
Thousands of activists marched in downtown Montreal on May 8. (Photo: Nareg Rezian)

“It is our duty, as victims, but also as Quebecers, to fight denial, fight indifference, and force governments into action where help is needed,” said Hrag Jinjian, Chair of the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee of Quebec.

The march was organized in honor of the memory of genocide victims of the 20th century, as well as to raise awareness to help prevent atrocities from taking place. (Photo: Nareg Rezian)
The march was organized in honor of the memory of genocide victims of the 20th century, as well as to raise awareness to help prevent atrocities from taking place. (Photo: Nareg Rezian)

The March for Humanity and Prevention of Genocide (M4H) began at Montreal’s Cabot Square, as participants marched towards the Quartier des Spectacles along Sainte-Catherine Street. Participants included political figures such as Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly, Quebec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie Christine St-Pierre, and former Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism and Minister of Defense Jason Kenney. Several ambassadors, including Armenia’s Ambassador to Canada Armen Yeganian, foreign diplomats, and representatives of the mayors of the cities of Montreal and Laval participated in the march.

(L to R) Ambassador Armen Yeganian, Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly, Archbishop Souren Kataroyan, and Pontifical Representative of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada (Photo: Nareg Rezian)
(L to R) Ambassador Armen Yeganian, Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly, Archbishop Souren Kataroyan, and Pontifical Representative of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada (Photo: Nareg Rezian)

The event was organized by the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee of Quebec in collaboration with the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (MIGS), the Alliance for Genocide Awareness and Remembrance (AGAR), the Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), and Amnesty International Canada. Members of the Jewish, Rwandan Tutsi, Cambodian, Ukrainian, Assyrian, Lebanese, and Pontian Greeks also participated.

Members of the Rwandan Tutsi community participating in the march (Photo: Nareg Rezian)
Members of the Rwandan Tutsi community participating in the march (Photo: Nareg Rezian)

“I congratulate you all on continuing this initiative that commemorates the numerous victims of genocides, whether from Armenia or elsewhere around the world,” declared Quebec Minister of International Relations Christine St-Pierre.

The March for Humanity and Prevention of Genocide (M4H) began at Montreal’s Cabot Square, as participants marched towards the Quartier des Spectacles along Sainte-Catherine Street. (Photo: Nareg Rezian)
The March for Humanity and Prevention of Genocide (M4H) began at Montreal’s Cabot Square, as participants marched towards the Quartier des Spectacles along Sainte-Catherine Street. (Photo: Nareg Rezian)

Following the march, a cultural program took place, including a performance by Sebu Simonian, lead singer of the award-winning band Capital Cities.

Members of the Jewish, Rwandan Tutsi, Cambodian, Ukrainian, Assyrian, Lebanese, and Pontian Greeks also participated in the march (Photo: Nareg Rezian)
Members of the Jewish, Rwandan Tutsi, Cambodian, Ukrainian, Assyrian, Lebanese, and Pontian Greeks also participated in the march (Photo: Nareg Rezian)

 

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1 Comment To "Thousands March in Montreal for Genocide Prevention"

#1 Comment By Avo Oymayan, Gainesville, Florida, USA On May 11, 2016 @ 9:58 pm

Good Job to all the folks who took part in this very important march to stress the importance and the need to deny future genocides and not to forget the ones that took place in history like this one (The Armenian Genocide of 1915, committed by the Ottoman Empire which Modern Turkey represents). It is true that 1.5 million Armenians got murdered, it is also true that we Armenians will keep on moving forward, strong, faithful in our Lord Jesus and his father God, always being proud that we represent the very first country to ever declare Christianity, Armenia !