On April 23, around 150 Clark Magnet students repeated the tradition of holding a silent protest during lunch in support of recognizing the Armenian Genocide. For the 30-minute duration of the protest, the amphitheater was filled with Armenian flags and students flaunting their Genocide shirts with meaningful quotes printed on them.

103 years ago, 1.5 million Armenians were systematically killed, while some government officials today are disinclined in recognizing the massacre using the term “genocide.” Millions of people today, including Clark Magnet students, continue to fight for recognition, since many believe that it is an ill-repute for government officials to disregard such a tragic event.

“It’s been 103 years we’ve been fighting for the recognition of the 1.5 million lost Armenian lives, and I know for a fact that us Armenians won’t stop protesting until we are recognized,” said junior Edita Tarbinyan, a participant in the protest.

During the protest, which was also joined by counselors Karine Turdjian and Susan Howe, students stood at the bottom of the amphitheater holding Armenian flags. Some also posed for group photos.

“We protest each year in order to portray our collective disapproval at the lack of recognition of the first genocide of the 20th century both by America and Turkey,” said junior Tenny Allahverdian, president of Clark’s Armenian Club. Allahverdian, who is also a member of the Armenian Youth Federation, believes that it is necessary to hold a silent protest each year to honor the 1.5 million lives lost during the Armenian Genocide.

According to Allahverdian, each year, the protest is organized by the Armenian Club executive and its members while collaborating with the school to confirm that the students will be able to protest peacefully with no issues. It’s also organized to be a free-dress day in order for students to wear T-shirts to commemorate the 1.5 million lives lost.