Over 50,000 March in Istanbul in Funeral Procession for Slain Turkish-Armenian Editor Hrant Dink

Today is the funeral of prominent Turkish newspaper editor Hrant Dink who was shot dead outside of his office last Friday. Dink had recently received death threats by Turkish nationalists for his writings about the Armenian genocide of 1915. Hrant Dink was a Turkish citizen of Armenian descent who was at the forefront of efforts challenging the official Turkish denial that the mass killings of Armenians by Turks during World War I was genocide.

Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with Dink"s murder including a 17 year old who has confessed to the crime. Police officials have said a well- known nationalist militant has admitted he provided a gun and money to the teenager. Over 50,000 people have taken to the streets to follow Dink's coffin. The only banner in the procession will read, "We are all Hrant Dink, We are all Armenian."

Dink was also a staunch defender of free speech. This is him last October speaking about a French law which makes it a crime to deny the Armenian genocide.

* Hrant Dink, speaking in October, 2006.

Zanku Armenian joins us now from Los Angeles. He is with the Armenian National Committee of America.

* Zanku Armenian, member of the Armenian National Committee of America

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