Hudson Reporter, NJ
Nov 26 2006

Marching for genocide awareness
Weehawken native walks coast to coast in ‘Journey for Humanity’

By Jim Hague 11/26/2006

Weehawken native Edward Majian was finally able to put his feet up
and rest a week ago Wednesday, something he has not done much since
late June.

Back then, he and five other college students of Armenian descent
began a journey from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. – on foot.

"I figured I went through five pairs of sneakers, walking 3,300
miles," said Majian, who completed the five-month long "Journey for
Humanity" to draw attention to the murders of 400,000 innocent
residents of Darfur in Sudan, as well as other genocidal events in
history, some of which have occurred in Armenia.

"We walked about 28 to 30 miles a day," he said. "I think it was very
rewarding, making a difference with people who don’t know who you are
and don’t know about genocide."

Genocide is defined as "The deliberate and systematic extermination
of a national, racial, political, or cultural group." The most famous
genocide was the Holocaust, but there are often smaller genocides
going on in foreign lands that the average American remains unaware
of.

Majian, who is a student of political science and social justice at
St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, took the semester off so he could
march with members of the United Armenian Students (UAS).

"My girlfriend became involved with the organization, and when I
heard of the march, I wanted to be a part of it as well," Majian
said.

There was a symbolic meaning to the students’ march.

"Walking and marching is used as a method to kill in the genocide,"
he said. "In Armenia, people were made to walk in blistering heat.
They were death marches. If they couldn’t walk, they were killed on
the site."

There was a historic inspiration as well.

"In modern times, some of the greatest freedoms were achieved with
marches," Majian said. "Mahatma Gandhi had the Salt March. Dr. Martin
Luther King had the Freedom March to Washington. It proves that
humanity does, indeed, have choices. It’s very sobering."

Majian said that he was amazed that most of the people he encountered
during his march had no idea what genocide means.

"I was struck by their honesty," Majian said. "Some would say, ‘I
need to know. Explain it to me.’ They had to find out that genocide
is not a distant thing, that it is still happening today. Once they
realized what it was, people reached into their pockets and donated."

Still happening today

Majian and his five comrades went to several colleges along the way
to make presentations, including a stop at St. Peter’s College in
Jersey City, where the marchers were warmly greeted.

"The Social Justice Department at St. Peter’s has been a tremendous
help," Majian said. "They are the reason why I decided to dedicate my
life to such causes."

Along the way, the marchers met with members of the United States
Senate and Congress to discuss legislation that would recognize
genocide.

"There were times that it became frustrating, because I felt that
people didn’t care," Majian said. "How could people not care about
hundreds of thousands of people being killed? But after a while, I
realized that it was a very effective method and we were able to pass
on the word."

Majian added, "We felt that if we didn’t do something, then nothing
would get done. No one is taking the time to teach genocide as a
problem in society."

A week ago Wednesday, the six weary travelers completed the final
stretch of their tour, marching to Washington, D.C. to meet with U.S.
Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Joe Knollenberg (R-Mich.) to
facilitate genocide awareness being addressed on the Congressional
floor.

"We walked the last two miles to the Capitol building," Majian said.
"The project was presented on the House floor. If we didn’t do what
we did, chances are that it would never have been addressed in
Washington."

Majian said that even though their journey is completed, the project
is far from being history and they still need financial support.

"It’s a misconception that we don’t need funding, because we’re still
about $30,000 in debt," Majian said.

Majian said that a documentary about the journey is in the works, as
is a possible book deal.

"Some countries act like these genocides never happened. But we have
to make sure that they are recognized."

To learn more about the "Journey for Humanity," log onto
, through which one donate to the cause.