PASADENA GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION EVENT FEATURES GOVERNMENT DIGNITARIES AND PERFORMANCES
PanARMENIAN.Net –
April 26, 2010 – 16:18 AMT 11:18 GMT
For the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, a sizeable crowd
gathered at the pavilion of the Pasadena City Hall on April 24 with
the participation of all Armenian Organizations, churches, schools
and the co-sponsorship of the City of Pasadena.
The event started with a Color Guard ceremony by the U.S. Marine Corp.
followed by opening remarks by lead organizer, Mr. Khatchik Chahinian,
President of Armenian Identity Harvest. Among the notable officials
in attendance were Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), State Senator Carol
Liu, State Assembly Member Anthony Portantino, Pasadena City Vice
Mayor Victor Gordo, Pasadena City District 2 Council Member Margaret
McAustin and La Canada Mayor Donald R. Voss.
As Master of Ceremonies, Armenian Council of America member, Razmig
Der Tavitian invoked the ideals of the United States Declaration
of Independence, which declared independence from "he, [who] has
obstructed the Admission of Justice…he [who] has made Judges
dependent on his Will alone…[and he, who is guilty of] protecting
[criminals] from punishment of any Murders which they should commit,"
as the ideals of Armenian Americans who seek justice and insist on U.S.
reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide.
Congressman Schiff reiterated his message to President Obama in
his urgency to characterize the events of 1915 as Genocide without
using various euphemisms to undermine the magnitude of the events. He
assured the audience that all efforts towards genocide recognition
will continue until justice is served.
State Senator Liu reiterated her long standing belief that "The
foreign policy of the United States must not be based on fear but
rather on the honest affirmation of our own ideals." Assembly Member
Portantino reinforced his support of the Armenian communities’ effort
to seek the reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide by the U.S.
government.
"Although this is the first year that we have organized an Armenian
Genocide commemoration event in front of the Pasadena City Hall, we
are very happy with the high turnout as it is testament that Armenian
American communities are vibrant, strong and united," said Vahe
Atchabahian, Board Member of the Armenian Council of America. "We’d
like to thank the City of Pasadena and all the participants for
making this a successful, enlightening and educational event,"
added Atchabahian.
Choir students from Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School and Alfred &
Marguerite Hovespian school sang a song in remembrance of the Armenian
Genocide victims and Salpy Keleshian later sang "Gilligia" which is
about a lamenting Armenian who wishes to forever rest in his homeland
in the Cilicia region of eastern Turkey/ historic Armenia.
All of the participants received a signed copy "Turkey Has Recognized
The Armenian Genocide," by Mano Agulian.