GENOCIDE COMMEMORATED AT PROVIDENCE CITY HALL
May 7, 2013
By Stephen Elmasian
Our flag flew proudly in front of the city and town halls across
Rhode Island on April 24. It’s still up at the Rhode Island State
House overlooking our capital city, where it also hangs from the
balcony of Providence City Hall.
Our tricolor was inside the House of Representatives as Rep. Katherine
Kazarian (East Providence) took the lead, officially recognizing the
Armenian Genocide.
On April 27, close to 200 people gathered following church services
at Sts. Vartanantz and began the police-escorted candlelight march
toward Providence City Hall. The Homenetmen scouts proudly carried
the American and Armenian flags as they played on the drums all the
way down to City Hall.
AYF members carried a large coffin with the words, “1.5 Million
Martyrs,” as well as other hand-made signs for a curious public that
looked on, wondering the purpose of the march.
Once we arrived, we filled the council chambers of Providence City
Hall.
Rep . Kazarian served as the emcee and began the program with Arch
Priest Gomidas Baghsarian offering an opening prayer and statement.
State Rep. Jared Nunes of Coventry/West Warwick, who is of Armenian
descent, also spoke, and his words showed how proud he is of his
heritage.
Council President Michael Solomon spoke and presented a citation
from the City of Providence to the Armenian National Committee (ANC)
of Rhode Island, which was received by Steve Elmasian. Mayor James
Diossa of Central Falls, who is from Columbia, South America, also
spoke, and tied his nation and Armenia together most appropriately. He
stood in for Providence Mayor Angel Tavares, who was in New York City
on official business.
Councilman Nichalos Narducci, the Honorable Chief Judge Haiganush
Bedrosian, and representatives of various Armenian organizations were
among the honored guests.
The kemencha was played to perfection by Mr. Ariryan, and Shant
Eghian performed a masterful vocal piece. Both of these men received
standing ovations.
Rep. Kazarian presented a proclamation from Governor Linclon Chafee
to the ANC-RI officially recognizing the genocide.
A closing prayer was given by Father Gomidas.
Flag Raising Held at Cranston City Hall
The Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Rhode Island hosted the
annual flag raising ceremony last night before a packed audience at
the Cranston City Hall. Among the speakers and invited guests were
Mayor Allan Fung of Cranston (the host of the evening), Mayor Scott
Avedisian of Warwick, State Sen. Hanna Gallo of Cranston, State Rep.
Katherine Kazarian of East Providence, Chief Judge of the Family
Court Haiganush Bedrosian, Lincoln School Committee Member Kristine
Donabedian, former Cranston City Council Chair and State Rep. and
Senator Aram Garabedian, and a representative of the office of U.S.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. Blessings were given in English, and a
closing prayer was given in Armenian by Arch Priest Gomidas Baghasrian
of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress