The City of Fall River held a Greek Independence Flag Raising ceremony on March 25, 2024, commemorating the 203rd anniversary of Greek independence from the Ottoman Turks. The event, which included Mayor Paul Coogan and members of the City Council, was moved indoors after the flag raising due to high winds. A representative of the Greek Orthodox Christians of Fall River thanked the city for the proclamation, detailing the historical struggle for independence which began with a proclamation on March 25, 1821, and was officially recognized in February 1830. The speaker also highlighted the ongoing persecution of Orthodox Christians in Constantinople and urged federal, state, and local governments to support their fight for religious freedom. Mayor Paul Coogan then read a proclamation, officially declaring March 25th as Greek Independence Day in Fall River. He emphasized the historical ties between ancient Greek democracy and the founding principles of the United States, as well as the enduring alliance between Greece and the U.S. in major international conflicts throughout the 20th century. Tyra from Carol Fiola's office was also present at the ceremony.
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0:39mayor City Council of Fall River the Greek Orthodox Christians of our Orthodox Church here in Fall River thank you wholeheartedly in the reading of the proclamation in support of those who gave their lives in the struggle for Greek independence of 1821 from servitude to the ottoman Turks making this the 2ou 203rd um year anniversary the lives of these brave men and women still live in the hearts of
1:12every Greek for our children we learn of the accomplishments of alexandros ipsilanti Theodor kotronis ascarina vuina John Ma maranis and The Metropolitan of patras yanos III together with so many others although the first group attempting a Greek Independence started in mavia in 1814 the official date of The War of Independence was proclaimed March 25th 1821 it was a long nine years of
1:52battling until finally in February of 1830 at the London protocol the West e powers and the Ottomans accepted and recognized the independence of a Nation called elas Greece then yet again in 1912 Another War would be declared finally liberating the northern half of Greece and all of the islands and in this celebration of Greek Independence the free democratic nations of the world celebrate recog izing that
2:30all peoples of the world should be able to choose and live according to their own destiny we bring to mind and pray fervently to almighty God for our brethren in both the Ukraine and in Russia and in the Holy lands between Israel and the Muslims in power that peaceful resolution be found again we thank you mayor for this recognition in the celebration of Greece's independence from the Turkish
3:01hands and yet even though we celebrate this 203rd year anniversary still our faithful Orthodox in Constantinople are persecuted and are suffering religious oppression under the hands of the Turkish overlords we encourage our federal government together with state and local governments to continue to help us in our struggle of true freedom for our tur uh from our Turkish overlords and to
3:32help us fight for our rights as Christian citizens within the Turkish government thank
3:45you as you can see there's been a little change we've moved inside after raising the flag because it's probably blown about 40 miles an hour out there and uh it was not safe the podium blew over twice um with that being said I want to thank Tyra from Carol fiola's office coming down to join us today and this is a solemn event we do every year in the city of Fall River just this year we moved
4:09inside um whereas the ancient Greeks developed the concept of democracy in which the supreme power to govern was vested in the people and whereas the founding fathers of the United States Drew heavily on the political experience and philosophy of ancient Creeps in forming our representative democracy and where as Greek soldiers were with the United States Marines on the shores of Tripoli in the military
4:35operations memorialized in the United States Marines hymn and whereas many Americans fought alongside the Greeks in their fight for Greek Independence while stirring speeches by President James Monroe and Daniel Webster LED Congress to send funds and supplies to Aid the Greeks in the struggle for freedom and whereas Greece is one of only three nations in the world beyond the former
5:03British Empire that has been allied with the United States in every major International conflict in the 20th century including World War I World War II Korea Vietnam Desert Storm and the Balkans and whereas Greece and the United States are at the Forefront of their efforts for Freedom democracy peace stability human rights and whereas March 25th 2024 mark the 203rd anniversary of the beginning of the
5:33Revolution that freed Greek people from the Ottoman Empire therefore I Paul Coogan Mayor of the city of forer to hereby Proclaim March 25th Greek Independence Day in Fall River and we urge all citizens to join us in this special observance again I want to thank the Greeks for their tremendous efforts to make this country better and all of our cooperation together as two Nations that are
6:06unified W I'm not prepared for a wrap up but we we thank the whole Community we thank the mayor and all of the councilmen um of Fall River for the graciously reading and acknowledging the proclamation of Greek Independence Day and we hope that all of your families and everyone be healthy and safe thank you