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Armenian Community Memorializes Genocide Victims, Celebrates Culture

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  • Armenian Community Memorializes Genocide Victims, Celebrates Culture

    ARMENIAN COMMUNITY MEMORIALIZES GENOCIDE VICTIMS, CELEBRATES CULTURE'S SURVIVAL IN MONTEBELLO

    12:00, 24 Apr 2015
    Siranush Ghazanchyan

    Members of the Armenian community gathered to demand justice during
    a somber reflection at the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument in
    Montebello on Thursday honoring the 1.5 million lives lost during
    the genocide 100 yers ago, Pasadena Star-News reports.

    Armenians from all walks of life came together in the shadow of the
    first and largest Armenian genocide martyrs memorial on public land
    to demand recognition of the genocide and remember the dead, but also
    to proclaim that the genocide was a failure, and the Armenian culture
    is alive and flourishing.

    Among the multitude of dignitaries who spoke at or attended the vigil
    was Congresswoman Judy Chu, D-Pasadena.

    "It is so important for us to gather here, right here in the San
    Gabriel Valley, in Montebello, to celebrate this 100th anniversary,"
    Chu said.

    At the forefront of the minds of many attendees was the lack of formal
    recognition of the genocide, both by the Turkish and U.S. Governments.

    Though disappointed that the administration has yet to acknowledge
    the Armenian Genocide of 1915, "We will not give up our effort in
    Washington D.C. to make sure that finally those that died will not
    have done so in vain, and that this genocide will be remembered."

    Montebello Mayor Jack Hadjinian, the grandson of an Armenian Genocide
    survivor, said he struggled to contain his emotions as he assisted
    in preparations for the event.

    He thanked two Turkish soldiers who spared his grandfather's life
    after mistaking him for a boy, rather than a young man. "That man's
    grandchild became the mayor of this city," Hadjinian said to a roar
    of applause.

    Attendees left flowers at the base of the towering monument. Parents
    explained the significance of the structure and the ceremony to
    their children.

    Keynote speakers for the event, hosted by the San Gabriel Valley
    Chapter of the Armenian National Committee of America, included
    renowned attorney Mark Geragos and Hayg Oshagan, a professor of
    Communications at Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich. Performers
    including singer and songwriter Sebu Simonian of the group Capital
    Cities entertained the crowd.

    Additional commemorations of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian
    Genocide will continue in the area this weekend. Tens of thousands
    of people are expected to take part in a 6-mile march from Little
    Armenia to the Turkish Consulate in The Wilshire District organized
    by the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee-Western United States of
    America. The Los Angeles United Armenian Council for the Commemoration
    of the Armenian Genocide will hold a commemoration ceremony at noon
    Saturday at the Montebello monument, 901 Via San Clemente.

    http://www.sgvtribune.com/general-news/20150423/armenian-community-memorializes-genocide-victims-celebrates-cultures-survival-in-montebello

    http://www.armradio.am/en/2015/04/24/44600/

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