Thousands of people gathered in downtown Toronto Sunday, for a rally marking 100 years since the Ottoman-era killing of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians. The killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks around the time of the First World War is considered by many historians to be the first genocide of the 20th century. Turkey, however, insists the death toll has been exaggerated, and that the dead were victims of civil war and unrest in the region. On Sunday, approximately one dozen Turkish protesters staged a counter-demonstration at Queen's Park, waving Turkish flags, but not interrupting the rally that started shortly after 1 p.m. Many in attendance, including Defence Minister Jason Kenney, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Toronto Mayor John Tory, appeared to support the event. Police estimate that at least 5,000 people gathered at Queen's Park. Source URL |
