Fresno leaders honor victims of Armenian genocide

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A flag raising event took place at City Hall in Downtown Fresno Friday in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

Thousands of Armenians died following a plan to massacre Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire.

People gathered on the steps of Fresno City to raise the flags of Armenia and the United States in support of the victims and their families.

Speakers included attorney Danny Tarkanian, son of legendary basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, Raffi Hamparian, chairman of the Armenian National Committee of America and congressman Jim Costa.

"We are also here to ensure that those lives that were sacrificed, that were lost, will never ever be forgotten," Costa addressed the crowd.

Friday marked the 101st anniversary of the genocide.