Contra Costa Times
April 19 2015

Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial a powerful tribute to victims

Brian Day

PASADENA >> More than 1,500 members and supporters of the Southland’s
Armenian community gathered Saturday to celebrate the dedication of
the long-awaited Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial.

The monument at Memorial Park stands in stoic tribute to the 1.5
million Armenians killed by the Ottoman Turks between 1915 and 1923.
Its dedication comes just under a week before the 100th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide.

The memorial, which has been in planning for three years, was unveiled
to applause following a ceremony attended by Armenian clergy from
throughout the region and officials from throughout the region,
ranging from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Jim McDonnell to
Congresswoman Judy Chu.

“It’s hard for us to understand, to comprehend, the deaths of a
million-and-a-half people. But nevertheless, we have a responsibility,
all of us, to make sure that everyone is aware of this tragic and
discrediting event in the history of mankind,” Mayor Bill Bogaard
said. “We must do our best to assure that events like this do not
happen in the future.”

The monument consists of a metal tripod standing 16 feet tall, in
remembrance of similar tripods which Armenian leaders were hung from
during the genocide. From the top of the tripod, a drop of water falls
every 21 seconds. Each year, 1.5 million drops of water — one for each
of the genocide victims — will drop into a basin adorned with the
ancient Armenian symbol for eternity.

Then-student at Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design Catherine
Menard’s design was selected from a field of 17 entries to become the
Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial. She has since graduated.

“I approached this project with caution and reverence and a longing to
conjure something meaningful and create an emotional experience,”
Menard said. “My hope is that it will be significantly important to
the Armenian community an eye opening and moving to the unaware
passer-by.”

Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee board members and former
state Assemblyman Anthony Portantino of La Cañada Flintridge said he
was thrilled to see the monument finally unveiled.

“It’s a magnificent memorial in a special city with a warm community
that’s faces horrendous tragedy, but thrives today,” he said.

The U.S. government has not officially recognized the mass killing as
a genocide.

PAGMC members thanks the vast array of community partners and donors
that made the memorial possible.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich said he and his
fellow supervisors plan to author a letter to the president and
congress at their next meeting to say, “enough is enough. It’s time to
recognize.”