The Order of The Sons of Pericles
Citrus District 2
Heritage, Service, Brotherhood.
Greek Genocide Recognition
History
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The Greek Genocide refers to the systematic extermination of the native Greek subjects of the Ottoman Empire before, during and after World War I (1914-1923). It was instigated by successive governments of the Ottoman Empire; the Committee of Union and Progress Party (C.U.P), and the Turkish Nationalist Movement of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. It included massacres, forced deportations and death marches, summary expulsions, boycotts, rape, forced conversion to Islam, conscription into labor battalions, arbitrary executions, and destruction of Christian Orthodox cultural, historical and religious monuments. According to various sources, approximately 1 million Greeks perished during this period.
There are currently 3 days of regional recognition for the Greek Genocide: September 14 (Asia Minor as a whole), May 19 (Pontus region) and April 6 (Eastern Thrace).
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For more on the history of the Greek Genocide, please visit:
Current Actions
As representatives of the Hellenic-American issues throughout the state of Florida, it is the responsibility of the District 2 Sons of Pericles to raise awareness and recognition of the atrocities committed by the Ottoman Empire against approximately 1.2 million Greeks. In 2005, the Florida Senate passed a resolution (SR2742) commemorating the Pontian Greek Genocide of 1914-1923.
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It is the stance of the District 2 Sons of Pericles that the Greek Genocide should be recognized as one atrocity against ALL Greeks. By raising awareness as one group united, we can bring to light the true horrors of the Greek Genocide and its effect on the entirety of Greece, commemorate the over 1 million Greeks slaughtered, and bring together the Hellenic Diaspora as a single front for one purpose. To help achieve formal recognition, please sign the petition below asking the Florida Senate to recognize the entire Greek Genocide of 1914-1923 and all Greeks who were exterminated or deported.