Why Did Governor Whitmer Proclaim “Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day” in Michigan?
On April 24, 2025, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation declaring the day as “Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day” in the state of Michigan. Around the same time, the New York State Legislature introduced a similar resolution. Meanwhile, members of Congress such as Senator Andy Kim publicly echoed the same language, emphasizing the importance of “remembering past atrocities.”
At first glance, these symbolic acts may appear harmless—local gestures of remembrance. But for Turkish Americans, they raise important questions:
It is important to understand that proclamations like these are not based on historical research conducted by the state itself. Instead, they are often the result of lobbying by Armenian-American organizations that seek to pressure local and federal officials into codifying a one-sided narrative of tragic events that occurred during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in World War I.
By using the word “genocide,” these proclamations bypass the ongoing international scholarly debate and ignore the rulings of international courts which have never classified the 1915 events as genocide. The European Court of Human Rights, for example, has affirmed that there is no legal consensus that the tragic loss of Ottoman Armenians constitutes genocide under international law.
Why Michigan?
Michigan is home to a small but politically active Armenian-American community, concentrated in Metro Detroit. These groups often approach governors and state legislatures with ready-made proclamation texts, urging adoption around April 24th each year. Unfortunately, Turkish-American voices are rarely consulted in this process.
Governor Whitmer’s proclamation did not cite new evidence or historical research. Rather, it follows a political pattern: aligning with pressure groups for symbolic recognition without weighing the broader diplomatic, community, and historical consequences.
Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy
While states have no role in setting U.S. foreign policy, proclamations like these carry symbolic weight and can:
Distort historical understanding, treating a complex civil war tragedy as a black-and-white issue.
Strain U.S.–Türkiye relations, undermining a NATO alliance that is crucial for both American and European security.
Alienate Turkish Americans, whose families are misrepresented and silenced in the public discourse.
When U.S. allies and courts abroad avoid labeling 1915 as genocide, why should U.S. state governors make unilateral historical judgments?
A Call for Balance
As Turkish Americans, we call for a balanced and historically accurate approach. Recognizing the suffering of all communities—including Armenians, Turks, Kurds, and Muslims—during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire is essential. But proclamations that repeat only one narrative serve political agendas, not historical truth or reconciliation.
Governor Whitmer’s decision highlights a deeper challenge: the absence of Turkish-American voices in state-level decision-making. Unless we organize and engage directly with policymakers, our perspective will continue to be overlooked in favor of well-funded lobbying campaigns.
Moving Forward
TC-USA PAC urges officials in Michigan, New York, and beyond to:
Consult a range of historians, not just advocacy groups, before issuing proclamations.
Recognize the complexity of Ottoman history, rather than reducing it to a single word.
Promote dialogue between Turkish and Armenian communities in the United States to encourage understanding instead of division.
History should never be dictated by lobbying pressure. It deserves careful, balanced, and legal consideration.
TC-USA PAC remains committed to advocating for the interests of Turkish Americans nationwide, ensuring our voices are heard on issues that affect our heritage, our communities, and U.S. foreign policy.