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  • Burbank: Parade date stirs controversy

    Burbank Leader , CA
    LATimes.com
    April 3 2004

    Parade date stirs controversy

    Burbank on Parade organizers set event for April 24, not realizing it
    is Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.

    By Jackson Bell, The Leader


    BURBANK - After a tumultuous four months that almost led to the
    cancellation of Burbank on Parade, organizers have discovered a
    planning gaffe that could exclude thousands of residents from the
    annual event.

    In mid-February, organizers scheduled the parade for April 24, the
    same date as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. Many of the city's
    estimated 10,000 Armenian-American residents will not join the
    celebration because they will spend the day at homes, churches or
    rallies throughout the area, remembering the victims of the 1915
    massacre, local Armenian leaders said.

    "It's unfortunate that they couldn't change the date," said Razmik
    Hovanessian, a Burbank resident and Armenian-American activist. "We
    expect our [city] leaders to be smart and wise and avoid coincidences
    like this."

    But the parade, which has traditionally been on the last Saturday in
    April, cannot be rescheduled this year because of the challenge in
    coordinating youth bands, drill teams, equestrian entries and
    representatives from local organizations, organizers said.

    "All the plans have been made and $25,000 has already been spent,"
    Parade Chairwoman Joanne Miller said. "At this point, the parade is
    so far in the can that it's too difficult to switch the date."

    Hovanessian and Miller were among several city officials, parade
    organizers and prominent members of the city's Armenian-American
    community who met Thursday evening at Vice Mayor Marsha Ramos'
    request.

    The outcome, Ramos said, resulted in an end to any future conflicts.

    "There are more details that need to be worked out in terms of next
    year's date," she said. "But there is a firm commitment that this
    will never again happen on April 24."

    The trouble started when organizers in December sent a letter to the
    city announcing their decision to no longer proceed with the parade,
    citing difficulties working with the city's License and Code
    Compliance Division and Parks, Recreation and Community Services
    Department.

    But after the problems were ironed out and the event resumed,
    awareness of the sensitive date fell under the radar.

    "The next thing we knew, the date was publicized and everything was
    planned in a very short time," Ramos said of the parade, in its 23rd
    year.

    The meeting, however, helped to clear up something that could be
    perceived negatively by the Armenian-American community, said Hoori
    Chalian, a resident who is involved with the Armenian National
    Committee of Burbank.

    "I now understand that this was done with no malice," Chalian said.
    "But it is an unfortunate coincidence, and I appreciate the
    opportunity to explain where I'm coming from."
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