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LOS ANGELES 's Several communities in the Western United States
held 94th Anniversary Commemoration events last week in honor of
the victims of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian
National Committee 's Western Region (ANC-WR).
ANC-WR Board Members and staff were invited to, and participated
in, various events ranging from vigils and demonstrations for
human rights to educational and community events and school
assemblies. In addition to these events, several ANC Chapters
throughout California and numerous other states scheduled local
genocide commemoration activities.
“The ANC-WR takes its role in working with the community to
promote understanding of the Armenian Genocide and ending the
cycle of genocide very seriously,” stated ANC-WR Executive
Director Andrew Kzirian. “We can only prevent genocide in the
future by working hard to ensure that its evils are fully
understood and that potential perpetrators are effectively
deterred 's education is paramount to achieving this goal,” he
added.
Under the auspices of the United Armenian Genocide Commemoration
Committee, the ANC-WR joined the community at the Armenian
Martyrs Monument in Montebello situated in Bicknell Park. The
Commemoration's Divine Liturgy and requiem service was conducted
by His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America,
assisted by clergy from the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic and
Evangelical Churches. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church delivered
the sermon.
The Montebello memorial, the first to be built honoring the
victims of the Armenian Genocide on public land, has served as
the gathering ground for thousands of Armenians in the Los
Angeles area to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. Guests and
speakers at the monument included Los Angeles Mayor Antonio
Villaraigosa, Congressman Adam Schiff, State Senator Carol Liu,
Assemblymember and Assistant Majority Leader Paul Krekorian,
Citycouncil President Pro-Tempore and City Controller-Elect
Wendy Greuel, Consul General Grigor Hovhannissian and various
local officials. Glendale City Clerk and former ANC-WR
Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian served as Master of
Ceremonies.
Later, the Armenian Youth Federation conducted its annual human
rights demonstration at the Turkish Consulate. Over 10,000
activists took to the streets to voice their outrage over the
Turkish government's constant denial of the Armenian Genocide
and President Obama's breach of his pledge to recognize this
crime.
That evening, a commemoration ceremony was held at Alex Theater
in Glendale featuring performing artists and government leaders
who voiced their support for recognition of the Armenian
Genocide and an end to the denial of this crime by the Turkish
government. Congressman Adam Schiff and Assemblymember Paul
Krekorian delivered remarks at the event. Former Glendale Mayor
and current Glendale City Councilmember Ara Najarian served as
Master of Ceremonies, while former Los Angeles Times reporter
Mark Arax delivered the keynote address. In 2007, Arax wrote a
story on the Armenian Genocide which was censored by then editor
Douglas Frantz. The controversy resulted in Arax leaving the
paper and Frantz being fired from the Times. Various dignitaries
and public officials were also present during the moving
ceremony.
Please see below a listing of community events in commemoration
of the Armenian Genocide.
The Armenian National Committee - Western Region is the largest
and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in
coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout the Western United States and affiliated
organizations around the country, the ANC-WR promotes awareness
of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.
Local ANC chapter and community
commemorations held in April:
April 18, 2009:
Crescenta Valley -- Walk to City Hall (throughout the day).
April 19, 2009:
Glendale --Blood Drive held at St. Mary's Armenian Church.
Las Vegas 's Commemoration at the University of Las Vegas.
Orange County 's Walk to Remember held at St. Mary Armenian
Church.
April 21, 2009:
Los Angeles --Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
Commemoration.
Pasadena 's Commemoration, Candle Light Vigil and Discussion at
Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center.
April 22, 2009:
Glendale -- School Assembly at Glendale High School
(Auditorium).
East San Fernando Valley 's Commemoration held at 13050 Vanowen
Street.
April 23, 2009:
Burbank 's General Assembly at John Muir Middle School.
San Gabriel Valley 's Commemoration at Armenian Martyr's
Monument (Montebello).
April 24, 200
Los Angeles--Los Angeles City Council Commemoration
Montebello-- United Commemoration Committee Event at Bicknell
Park
Arizona --Commemoration at Wesley Bolin Plaza (Phoenix, AZ).
Fresno-- Commemoration at Fresno City Hall.
Glendale-- Commemoration at Alex Theatre.
San Diego --Commemoration and Candle Light Vigil at UC San
Diego.
San Francisco -- Commemoration at Armenian Community Center.
April 26, 2009:
Riverside --Commemoration in Norco.
West San Fernando Valley --Commemoration in Encino (5300 White
Oak).
April 28, 2009:
Burbank -- City Council Resolution and Candle Light Vigil
Ceremonies at
City Council Chambers.
San Francisco 's Film screening at San Francisco Public Library.
For more information please visit
www.armeniancalendar.com,
www.anca.org
or call the ANC-WR office at 818.500.1918.
Note: the
above is not an exhaustive listing of all events in the western
United States.
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