SYDNEY & MELBOURNE: Thousands of Armenian-Australians, Assyrian-Australians and Greek-Australians rallied simultaneously in Sydney and Melbourne in the #SpeakUpScoMo March for Justice, calling for Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Government to officially recognise the 1915 genocides suffered by the ancestors of the three represented communities at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.
Under the uniting Joint Justice Initiative banner, participants made clear their message to Canberra – that nothing less than full and proper acknowledgement of the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides as genocide would be acceptable to the three communities.
The Sydney March for Justice took over the Central Business District on Saturday afternoon, beginning at The Domain, carrying through the partially blocked Macquarie Street, College Street and Park Street, before ending with a special program on the steps of the Sydney Town Hall on George Street.
MC Hoory Yeldizian opened proceedings after the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek national anthems, a traditional indigenous smoking ceremony and prayer led by clergy.
Panayiotis Diamadis spoke on behalf of the Greek-Australian community, followed by Hermiz Shahen from the Assyrian-Australian community and Michael Kolokossian as a spokesperson of the Armenian-Australian community.
Natalie Ward MLC addressed the audience as representative of the New South Wales Government of Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Armenian National Committee of Australia Executive Director, Haig Kayserian delivered the day's closing remarks.
Patil Pamboukian spoke on behalf of the youth of the three communities.
Former winner of The Voice Armenia and finalist of The Voice Australia, Masha Mnjoyan delivered a stirring performance of Adana after Hamazkaine Nairi Dance Group's Anna Berberian danced to Groong.
The Melbourne March for Justice began at Federation Square and ended at the State Library with a special program.
Chris Kaplanjian was among the speakers.
SBS News, ABC News, radio stations including 2GB and ABC , as well as print and online media including
Junkee (click here) covered the outpouring of protest from the Armenian-Australian, Assyrian-Australian and Greek-Australian communities.
The Marches were peaceful and well marshalled by NSW and VIC Police.
