Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
April 29, 2009
Contact: Andrew Kzirian
ANC-WR Raises Awareness of Armenian Genocide through Commemoration Activities
– Joins Community at Montebello Commemoration to Honor Armenian
Genocide Victims
Los Angeles, CA – Several communities in the Western United States
held 94th Anniversary Commemoration events in honor of the victims of
the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee –
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 – 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 – Commemoration at the University of Las Vegas.
Orange County – Walk to Remember held at St. Mary Armenian Church.
April 21, 2009:
Los Angeles – Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Commemoration.
Pasadena – 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 – Commemoration held at 13050 Vanowen Street.
April 23, 2009:
Burbank – General Assembly at John Muir Middle School.
San Gabriel Valley – Commemoration at Armenian Martyr’s Monument (Montebello).
April 24, 2009:
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 – Film screening at San Francisco Public Library.
For more information please visit ,
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.