Armenian-Americans hail Biden's genocide statement

Armenian Americans welcomed the news Saturday that President Joe Biden formally declared the systematic killing and deportation of hundreds of thousands of their ancestors by Ottoman Empire forces in the early 1900s was “genocide,” saying the recognition by a sitting U.S. president was long overdue.

On Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, California, thousands gathered to celebrate the news during a rally outside the Turkish consulate.

Araz Artinian was one of many that brought her children to the peaceful demonstration.

“I’m happy that my children are witnessing the day. We worked very hard to see America recognize the Armenian genocide,” she said.