Tankian, who lives in Los Angles, was born in Lebanon. His family moved to the U.S. when he was a child, but his grandparents all fled the Armenian Genocide. “Today, I will say thank you to the US and all those who have fought hard for this statement over the years,” he added.
On Saturday, which marked the 106th commemoration of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Biden became the first sitting U.S. president to officially recognize the systematic deportation and slaughter of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in World War I. It’s estimated that 1.5 million Armenians were killed between 1915 and 1923. The Turkish government continues to deny that a genocide occurred.
Over the years, System of a Down — whose members are from Armenian heritage — have strongly advocated for the United States government to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Last year’s reignited conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan provoked SOAD to raise their voices in support of their homeland by simultaneously dropping “Genocidal Humanoidz” and “Protect the Land,” the group’s first new music in 15 years. The charity tracks have raised more than $600,000 for the Armenia Fund.
See Tankian’s tweet about President Biden’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide below.