New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ recent indictment on charges related to selling his office for favors, including not acknowledging the Armenian genocide, has highlighted ongoing efforts by Turkish interests to shape views on this historical event in the city. Hrag Vartanian, a prominent member of the city’s Armenian community, recounted a past incident when a message was skywritten denying the genocide in New York.
The allegations against Adams stem from his alleged agreement not to acknowledge Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in exchange for illegal campaign donations and favors. While Adams has denied any wrongdoing, experts note that Turkish denial of the genocide has been a longstanding priority for the government. Efforts to pressure officials at various levels and influence public opinion on the tragedy have been ongoing for decades.
Historians and members of the Armenian diaspora have been working for over a century to bring attention to the events of 1915 when more than a million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Empire. Despite President Biden officially recognizing the genocide in 2021, disputes over historical truths and attempts to deny or downplay the events persist.
The recent allegations against Adams have sparked outrage within the Armenian community, with individuals like Vartanian emphasizing the importance of telling their families’ stories and ensuring that the truth about the genocide is acknowledged. The case against Adams sheds light on the ongoing efforts by Turkish interests to suppress recognition of the atrocities committed against the Armenians.
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