Gathering in Troy commemorates Armenian genocide
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TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A gathering was held in Troy on Friday at Riverfront Park to commemorate 110 years since the Armenian genocide. An estimated 1.5 million people died in massacres and deportations that began in 1915 as Ottoman officials worried that the Christian Armenians would side with Russia -- its enemy in World War I.
The event is widely viewed by historians as genocide. Turkey denies the deaths constitute genocide, saying the toll has been inflated and those killed were victims of civil war and unrest. Members of the local community shared Troy's connection with Armenia.
They said they will never allow the genocide to be forgotten, and local politicians on both sides of the aisle are calling for more to be done to support their people.