Members of North Jersey’s sizable Armenian community are expected to turn out in droves for a ceremony in Times Square commemorating the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
The free event will pay tribute to those slain during the first genocide of the 20th century.
Speakers will include civic, religious, humanitarian, educational and cultural leaders, as well as performing artists. Among those scheduled to address the crowd are New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez and New York Sen. Charles Schumer.
"It’s important to remember what happened 96 years ago because this is a major event for Armenians and mankind," said Hirant Gulian, a Cliffside Park resident and chairman of the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee, which organized today’s event. "This was the first genocide of the 20th century. We have the responsibility to honor those that perished."
Gulian said he expects a contingent of at least "a couple of thousand" Armenians from Bergen County will turn out. He estimates that there are more than 20,000 Armenian families living throughout Bergen County, northjersey.com reported.
