NEW YORK – With the common denominator being the recognition of the obligation to continue the struggle until a just and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem is reached, the Hellenic-American diaspora demonstrated a strong presence at the events hosted by the Cypriot organizations on July 20 in Manhattan commemorating the 50th somber anniversary of the illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

The commemoration began with the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center where a memorial service was also held for the victims, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. Following the services, Archbishop Elpidophoros referred to the dark anniversary, expressing the hope that the desired solution will come and the wish “that an incident like the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus will never happen again.” Immediately after, the attendees marched behind a large banner which read “50-Year Occupation of Cyprus, July 20, 1974-July 20, 2024, The Dream of a Free Cyprus Will Never Die.” They marched through the streets of Lower Manhattan from St. Nicholas WTC to the hall at 60 Pine Street, where the second part of the event took place with speeches, a photo exhibition, and a video presentation.

The participants drew the attention of passers-by as they communicated the message of the day to neutral citizens of New York, which was the main purpose of holding the events in Manhattan.

Among those present were Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the United States Evangelos Savva, Deputy Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN Ioannis Stamatekos, Consul General of Cyprus in New York Michalis Firillas, U.S. Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis and Congressman Robert Menendez, Jr., New York State Assemblyman Michael Tannousis, Federation of Cypriot American Organizations (FCAO) President Kyriacos Papastylianou, PSEKA President Philip Christopher, PSEKA Vice President Tasos Zambas, Cyprus-U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Maria Pappas, as well as the leaders and representatives from the Cypriot organizations and the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York.

In the packed hall at 60 Pine Street, FCAO President Kyriacos Papastylianou welcomed the audience and introduced a short documentary about the Turkish invasion of 1974. The visuals were shocking, with important testimonies from relatives of the missing who lived through those events.

“For many of us it all started on July 15. I remember my father going to work and being shot not once, but twice. My story is very small compared to all those who lost their lives, because my father came back. I was one of the lucky kids. For some, their fathers never came back. They grew up hoping to talk about missing people. It is a tragedy that continues to this day. Thank you for supporting us and being here with us. We hope that one day – because the Omogenia will continue the fight – we will return home without Turkish troops,” said Papastylianou. He then gave the floor to Ambassador Evangelos Savva, who made a special reference to the missing.

“It is a day of mourning. We mourn our dead and, as we saw very vividly in the video, we think even more deeply and with even more passion about the human tragedy of the missing. We still have 750 people whose fate has not been clarified and their families today wish to close this matter and receive news that will give answers and close their drama. It is also a day when we say out loud that we do not forget, nothing is forgotten and no one will forget where we are and what happened,” said Ambassador Savva.

Deputy Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN Ioannis Stamatekos shared the same sentiment: “We stand by our Cypriot brothers, in whatever way Cyprus decides, to reunite the country. This is the result of the Turkish invasion and occupation, it was a calculated move that led to the occupation of Cyprus lasting 50 years. It is time for the international community to see the situation as it sees other cases and do the right thing for Cyprus.”

American Jewish Council (AJC) Director of Regional Operations Wendy Rhein emphasized that the Council “stands in solidarity with the Cypriots on the 50th dark anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus” and that “the day reminds us of the deep wounds of the Cypriots and the consequences that last until today,”

Afterwards, the Republican NYS Assemblyman Michael Tannousis, whose parents were refugees from occupied Cyprus, took the floor, commenting on the possible change of government in the U.S. next November, made it clear that the Cypriot and Greek national issues “have no party.”

“I think it is very important to support our issues and to remember that the party when it comes to our national issues are not Republicans and Democrats, the parties are Greece and Cyprus. It is important to express our opinions to everyone who will listen to us,” said Tannousis.

PSEKA President Philip Christopher agreed, noting that “we are not Republicans, Democrats, progressives or independents, but we are with those who support Greece and Cyprus. Unfortunately, government after government over the years, they have sacrificed their principles and ideals for the purposes of Turkey. However, if we ever see Mike Pompeo in the State Department again, it would be a great day for Cyprus.”

Taking the floor, Congresswoman Malliotakis referred to the mission of the expatriate and Philhellenic representatives in Congress, who are called to make clear to their colleagues the injustice that is taking place in Cyprus and also to emphasize the fact that the Turkey of Recep Tayyip Erdogan is not such a staunch ally of the U.S.

“We have worked as a community to ensure that our non-Greek friends in New York and Washington understand what has happened here. It is an injustice that has not received the same attention as other issues of war, illegal occupation or dictatorship. It’s sad because many in Congress tend to believe that Erdogan is somehow an ally of the U.S.,” Malliotakis pointed out.

A warm welcome to Robert Menendez

An important moment was the arrival of Congressman Robert Menendez Jr., son of Philhellenic Senator Bob Menendez, who is going through a very difficult time with his recent conviction on very serious charges, in a Manhattan court.

“Let’s not forget who Senator Bob Menendez was. They may be saying a lot now, but there has never been a greater Philhellene in Congress than Senator Menendez,” said Philip Christopher, who welcomed Robert Menendez to the podium.

For his part, Menendez, Jr. referred to the eternal love that he and his family have for Cyprus, his father’s friendship with PSEKA Vice President Tasos Zambas, and pledged to continue the effort in order to launch a fair solution for the Cyprus issue.

“I love Cyprus. I love the people of Cyprus. We will continue to fight and keep this flame lit within us, for the reunification of Cyprus,” concluded Menendez.