'We don't forget': Marchers commemorate Armenian genocide in Lebanon

Thousands marched to Martyrs' Square in Downtown Beirut Monday to commemorate the Armenian Genocide (1915-1917), The Daily Star reported.

The solemn march and ceremony marked the 102nd anniversary of the start of the genocide, which began in 1915 and which resulted in the deaths of as many as 1.5 million Armenians.

The commemorative event included speeches by notable Armenian and Lebanese Armenian figures and addresses by MPs representing President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Speaker Nabih Berri.

In his address to the crowd, George Sabounjian, a member of the Tashnag political party, explained that the ceremony was held in Martyrs' square since the space represents all those who have died for their country.

Beyond the horrific loss of life, the Armenian genocide also resulted in the mass migration of survivors who sought refuge in countries around the world, including Lebanon.

Thousands of Armenians were pushed out of Asia Minor and forced to make their way through the Syrian desert before finally settling in Lebanon and other countries.  

Today, 150,000 Lebanese Armenians have become an integral part of Lebanon’s social fabric and are considered one of its most prominent communities.

Of those who survived the genocide many also settled in Iraq, Syria, Palestine and Egypt.

Turkey has long denied that the genocide took place, arguing that the killings were part of global upheaval during World War I - a period of time where many Turks were also killed.

But most historians outside Turkey describe the genocide as "an orchestrated effort of ethnic cleansing by the Ottoman Turkish government that meets the definition of genocide."

According to Al Jazeera, "24 countries officially recognize that these atrocities constitute a genocide, as do the vast majority of academics."  

And even though Turkey continues to deny the genocide, Armenians and many others around the world are committed to keeping the truth and memory alive.

During the rally in Beirut, one of its organizers, Aram Karadaghlian, spoke to The Los Angeles Times saying, “wherever there are Armenians, there will be this ceremony... It’s a duty... It's about remembrance, because we don't forget.”