Name: Sanan Shirinian

Age: 16

City: La Crescenta

School: Alex Pilibos

Occupation: Student

How many days will you be marching?
Full time - 19 days

Why did you decide to participate as a marcher?
After the hunger strike at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, I promised myself that I would participate in the next big movement that came along so I could help make a difference. When I heard about this march, I was shocked at what a big step it was, so I did my best to get involved.

What do you hope to achieve by participating in this march?
I hope that we will be able to make the problem of genocide denial into a much bigger and well known issue. I hope to make a difference in the way some people think. Also the march is something I will remember forever, so I hope to have achieved a lot by doing it.

What are you doing to prepare for the march?
To prepare for the march I am trying to get into the best shape possible before I have to walk 215 miles. I am walking as much as I can and eating less junk food. Also, I am informing a lot of people about the march so when we do walk, they can support us.

Do you have any relatives who were Genocide survivors?
Yes, my great-grandmother from my mother’s side. All of my great-grandparents from my father’s side as well.

If so, can you talk a little about their experience?
My great-grandmother from my mothers side was 8 years old when she was deported from Kessab. Some Turks had come and asked for my great-grandmother and her brothers, but their uncle refused to give up his nieces and nephews. They fled away. The next day those children who were given to the Turks were burned to death. Eventually my great-grandmother moved to Beirut with her family. All of my great-grandparents form my father’s side were deported from Adana.

Why do you think it is important for the US to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide?
It is important for the US to officially recognize the Genocide, because they know that it happened, they know it as a fact. If the US recognized the Genocide it will be much better known by the world and Turkey would feel a lot more pressure into accepting as well.

What significance does this year being the 90th anniversary of the Genocide have for you?
The 90th anniversary means that too much time has passed with denial towards our people. Although, we have been making improvements and moving forward with our cause, the time has come for a bigger change.