Armenian National Committee of the San Gabriel Valley
420 West Washington Boulevard
Montebello, California 90640
Tel: (323) 722-1918
PRESS RELEASE
April 28, 2010
Contact: Nazareth Sadorian
Tel: (323) 722-1918
MONTEBELLO ANC COMMEORATES GENOCIDE THROUGH MUSIC AND ART
MONTEBELLO, CA—Nearly 500 Armenian Americans from the greater Montebello
area gathered at the Montebello Armenian Genocide Martyrs Memorial on
Friday, April 23rd to commemorate the 95th Anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide through music and art. The event, hosted by the Armenian National
Committee of the San Gabriel Valley (ANC SGV), featured performances by the
band ELEMENT, solo artist Raffi Semerjian, a video documentary short film
and remarks by Montebello Mayor Bill Molinari as well as a keynote address
by former ANC regional board member Raffi Hamparian.
Relating the struggle for recognition to the fight of America’s own founding
fathers for self-determination, Hamparian reminded those gathered that it is
the steadfast few, who persevere in the face of the overwhelming opposition
to these just causes, who win the day.
Mayor Molinari noted that the city would be placing a sign on Garfield
Avenue indicating the direction of the memorial and to remind passersby that
the monument was a solemn reminder about the Genocide. The mayor was joined
by Mayor Pro-tem Art Barajas as well as City Council Members Frank Gomez and
Christina Cortez.
The ANC SGV also unveiled a replica of a freeway sign that will be placed on
Route 60 directing motorists to the memorial. The sign was a result of a
legislative initiative, ACR 148, authored by Montebello-area California
State Assembly Member and Majority Leader, Charles Calderon.
The event was emceed by Stepan Altounian who read from his grandfather’s
memoirs between the program segments. Near the half-way through evening’s
event, the crowd was joined by over 100 members of the Homenetmen Athletics
and Scouting organization and supporters from the Armenian Youth Federation
who completed their 11 mile walkathon from Pasadena to the memorial. The
event closed with a candlelight vigil encircling the monument led by local
clergy.
The Armenian National Committee of the San Gabriel Valley advances the
social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the area’s Armenian
American community and promotes increased Armenian American civic
participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.
From: Baghdasarian