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4/27/2021 Senate recognizes Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
STATE HOUSE – The Senate today marked the annual Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day to commemorate the Armenian genocide of 1915 to 1923, when more than 1.5 million men, women and children of Armenian descent were slaughtered by the Ottoman Empire.

Members unanimously approved a resolution sponsored by Sen. Hanna M. Gallo to recall those who perished, to urge the Turkish government to acknowledge the genocide, and to offer deep sympathy to the Armenian-American community of Rhode Island.

 “It is important that we never forget this dark chapter,” said Senator Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick), “It is critical that we learn from it and work toward fostering understanding and eliminating hatred from our own communities. As we have seen all too often in recent times, there are still those who harbor sentiments of racial superiority or inferiority, and the risk that they become emboldened and violent is real. Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is a time to reflect on the past, and resolve not to allow that sort of hatred to take root and spread ever again.”

She said the fight to end hatred, persecution and injustice is one reason the Senate supported a law enacted in 2000 to require the Department of Education to develop a curriculum on genocide and human rights issues, and why it passed legislation a decade ago directing RIDE to provide curriculum guidance specifically on the Armenian Genocide and other human rights travesties.

Armenians who fled the genocide have made significant contributions to the nations and states where they made new homes, including Rhode Island.

“The Armenian-American community in my district and throughout the state is strong and vibrant,” said Senator Gallo. “Its contributions to our community in Cranston and in Rhode Island are as tremendous as they are diverse.”



For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923