For the past couple of years, Turkish-Americans have started keeping vigil in front of the Turkish Embassy in Washington on April 23. This year, they have started keeping vigil 10 days earlier. According to Turkey’s Anadolu News Agency, the reason is the large number of events that will be held on the occasion of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, writes ermenihaber.am. The “on-duty service” is aimed at stopping Armenians from holding events near the Turkish Embassy.

The Turks gathered in front of the Turkish Embassy have come with food, umbrellas, bedspreads and sleeping bags. They have even set up a tent in front of the embassy.

The source also reports that Turkish-American organizations are holding several events in Washington, New York, Texas and Massachusetts in response to the Armenian Americans’ actions. They are posting pro-Turkish signs at public places and metro stations, as well as signs calling for Armenian-Turkish cooperation inside buses.

On April 24^th, Turkish-Americans plan to hold a march with the title “Peace and Solidarity”, which will start from the area near the White House and will end in front of the Turkish Embassy.