U.S. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released a statement in remembrance of 101 years since the beginning of the Armenian Genocide.

“More than a century ago, starting in 1915 and lasting nearly a decade, more than 1.5 million innocent Armenian children, women, and men were systematically slaughtered during the horrific genocide committed by leaders of the Ottoman Empire. Today, we remember the victims of this brutal, inhumane period of ethnic cleansing. We honor their memories by acknowledging the past,” Pelosi said.

“We must never forget this wretched campaign that destroyed lives, upended communities, and attempted to eradicate an entire culture. Too often the tragic crimes of history have been ignored, minimized, or denied. We owe it to future generations to confront the painful past so we can create a more hopeful future.”

We must embrace the truth, the politician said.

“It is our moral responsibility, every day in every community, to work together to speak out against the bigotry, discrimination and hatred of difference that too often fuel acts of violence,” Pelosi added.