Circassian Genocide Commemorated on its 153rd Year

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Federation of Circassian Foundations organized a remembrance march yesterday (May 21) on Beyoğlu street in İstanbul to commemorate the Circassian Genocide in its 153rd year.

Coming together at Galatasaray Square, Circassian people sang songs, read poems and said prayers in remembrance of those who had lost their lives in the genocide in 1864.

In their press statement, the group demanded that the Circassian Genocide be recognized.

Leaving a wreath in front of the Russian Consulate during their march, the group chanted slogans such as "Cherkessia will not become Russian land", "Genocider Russia, answer", "Long live the resistance of the Circassians". "Genocide is a crime against humanity".

Upon police preventing the march from proceeding to the Russian Consulate, the group left a wreath in front of the consulate reading"Genocide is a crime against humanity".

The Circassian people were exposed to a genocide by the Czarist Russia on May 21, 1864 and were deported from their homeland Caucasia to Anatolia. (ÇT/DG)

* Photograph: Akın Çeliktaş, İstanbul / Doğan News Agency (DHA)