Was it a Forgotten Genocide - Armenian Genocide of 1915 - 92 years later...

On April 24th, 2007 - 92 Years earlier in history on this date, in 1915. On April 24th 1915 is commemorated worldwide by Armenians as Genocide Memorial Day. Another piece of history in humanity as a whole will not be forgotten and you can help. Currently in the U.S. Congress (House and Senate) is a bill to recognize this action taken by the Ottoman government (Ottoman Empire) of that day (1915) and force the current Turkish government and United States to do the same...

Here is how:
http://capwiz.com/anca/issues/alert/?alertid=9652286&type=CO

Click for Justice to End the Cycle of Genocide
Send a Free ANCA Web-Mail to your Senators and Representative!

From April 20th to 30th, you can join with hundreds of thousands of e-advocates across the U.S. to help end the cycle of genocide by taking part in the nation's largest online genocide protest.
To send a free ANCA Web-Mail to your Senators and Representative calling for swift passage of the Armenian Genocide resolution (S.Res.106 / H.Res.106) and to take concrete steps to stop the ongoing genocide in Darfur.

For more information about Armenian Genocide legislation and the situation in Darfur, visit
www.anca.org or www.genocideintervention.net

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Here is my story within a story.

Personally, I had not known of this action against the Armenian people or much about them truthfully, other then the name and war in the 1990's

On Tues. April 24th, 2007 every thing about these people and their history changed for me. On a walk in downtown Phoenix, AZ. I stopped by Patriots Square Park, (while it still remains open, before the developer and the city close it off to public access for private and commercial development) there assembling was a group of people. I decided to take some photographs of them, just for keepsake of the another gathering in a park that the city officials have generally considers an eye sore and in disrepair by their own default.
These people where wearing Black T-shirts with white lettering that stated on them "I am Armenian" (on front), Armenian flag on the right sleeve, an emblem (?) on the left sleeve and April 24, 1915 with Turkey (over laid by a red circle and slash through it) and the words "STOP the Denial..." on their backs.
Taking the time to ask questions with a few individuals in the group. This is what I was told: They where gathering for a march in spirit of their ancestors and people, who had lost their lives to what is called today, Genocide. The march would be from Patriots Square Park to the Arizona State Capital (Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza) and take about on hour of time. One individual gave me a postcard and asked me to go to the web site on it and to bring attention to the current bill in congress by my representatives. They said, it would not take long and was set up, that it would send a preformed e-mail or letter to my representatives in congress with general information entered. I only took a quick glance over the postcard, seeing the web site address and continued to talk to this individual about the march. They continued to tell me that the U.S. and Turkey do not consider the actions of 1915 as genocide, because of political issues. Oil being the first and the world court being the second issue mentioned. We where interrupted by another person at that point and it was explained, that they where needed! Quickly, I gave them a card because of the pictures I had taken, if they wanted them in remembrance of the gathering and shaking hands saying our good bye.
At this time I looked over the postcard - the front side was black with white words 'click for Justice" at the top, a button with flags on it in the center (one being of the United State and the other being of Armenia) and a website (www.anca.org) at the bottom. The back side of the postcard showed the reality via photos in part of current Genocide in Darfur and past genocide upon the Armenian's in 1915. With more information on the cause and what it was about. The photographs shocked and disturbed me. I had not seen the back of the postcard before this point and I put the postcard in my backpack out of sight. I was not prepared for seeing those photographs and the reality of genocide, so quickly on this day. (Truth be told)
The Armenians, where gathering together and readied themselves for the march to the Arizona state capital (Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza) with their signs and symbolic t-shirts. I thanked the ones I had talked to and for the information exchanged. Having learned some history about them & the web site (anca.org) of their people, even though I was over come by the whole experience. Waving at them and in silence wished them all the best. Taking a few more photos in the process and left Patriots Square Park, going west in the direction of the State Capital. Only going a few block, not the distance (mile something) the Armenians have planned to travel on their march. Good people with a just cause, I thought of the Armenians!
Thinking as I walked, about what had just happened to me, I was really taken back by the struggle and history of humanity in general and the Armenians had just added to it! Not that they did it on purpose or that it matters really! I had known of some of the other acts by humans against other humans in acts of war and what is often known today as Genocide, which is sadly hidden in civil wars and wars in general.
But not of this genocide! Why? I had known of the Jews during WWII, kurds in Iraq, Bosnia-Herzegovina & Somalians in the 1990's, Rwanda and Darfur, among others. But not of this, Why? Continuing to think to myself: No matter what the horrors of war(s) may be and bring within and through out in its own act or actions in the sense of killing with killing in general being no less a crime. It is still not needed to take out an action of genocide, an all out killing, extermination of a race for reasons of ethics, creed, race, color or religion. I could not believe, we as humanity our still so stupid, even while we reach for star and beyond. How could we make it out there in space, if we can not even do it with humans here, is still a wonderment in its own and very sad. I just needed to stop thinking about this and just kept walking. After a while I had started to get distracted with other thoughts and started taking other photos of the area. I had gone up a stair case of a parking structure in the area to get a better vantage point for more photographs of the area. While doing this, I notice the gathering of Armenian's heading my way. Thinking I could add them to the photographs, I had already taken of them. I could also get them while on their march to the State Capital (while not planned, I thought why not). I was totally focus on them and taking the photos, when came a voice from behind me. They where asking me, what I was taking photos of?
Turning around, I saw a black gentlemen. He continued to asks me, what i was doing and if I was a journalist? I explained that I was not a journalist, (with a slight giggle) telling him about the march below. He than asked me for copies of the photos! Which I thought as odd and asked why? He then explained, he was from Somalia and had gone through the genocide in that country, at the time it had taken place and was a surviver. He continued to asks, if he could get some photo and I said, I could! We exchanged info and shaking hands with a good bye. Turning back around, looking for the Armenian march below. The Armenians had already passed my vantage point, for more pics and all. I took a few more anyway, just for good measure. Thinking it would allow me to give the Armenians a better representation of their march or as complete as possible without following them to the State capital. Taking a few photos of other things, I than left the area.

I started to reflect about the events of the last hour, if even that much time had past... Bewildered, it started to dawn on me, realizing, what had all just happened to me and the odds of it. which to me, seem pretty slim.
Meeting two separate group of people, two separate events in time and from two separate countries. Neither the Armenians or the Somalia gentlemen had known the other. It was just a fluke or coincident for me to notice and be made aware of! They do have one experience in common, sadly it is called Genocide. For what ever the reason of their own genocide, it became all to clear to me.

Genocide was more common than it should be considered, in this day and age.

I had not ever met anyone outside of the Jewish community, involved personally with the subject of genocide before, until now. Now I have met two other separate groups within the same hour. While I am not proud of this honor, I only feel shame for the fact that it is still taking place, else where on this plant, even today. Why have we as a race known as humanity, not put an end to this haiast act against other humans, no matter who they are or why the cause. WHY?
I now have the fortune and not a misfortune of knowing three separate groups of people personally that carry with them a sad history, an experience that no one should go through as a human-being or even exist in humanity called genocide...

I do not want to know a four group of people, that does not already exist on that long list of names, known to have survived a genocide...

** THIS PART OF THE STORY IS STILL IN PROCESS. WILL UPDATED WITH MORE INFORMATION ON FACT, TIMES, OTHER RESEARCH INFO. TO SOME IT IS A PERSONAL ISSUE AND UNDERSTANDABLE CONSIDERING THE SUBJECT, OPENING A CAN OF WORMS IN THIS DEGREE ALWAYS WILL.
THANKS FOR READING AND YOURS PATIENCE! I STARTED IT, MAY AS WELL FINISH IT TOO.
**WHEN COMPLETED WITH THE STORY THIS WILL NOT BE PART OF IT **