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    Emil Lazarian
  • 4 years ago
    • Categories: 2020

Armenian School and Community Center in San Francisco Vandalized

NBC Bay Area, San Francisco

An Armenian school and community center in San Francisco believes it is the victim of a hate crime after it was vandalized.

Vandals spray painted graffiti on nearly every wall at KZV Armenian School. Some of the messages left during the overnight spree directly referenced the Armenian Genocide.

"I'm shocked," Principal Grace Andonian said. "I am really shocked."

The vandalism comes amid reports of similar targeted crimes against Armenians in various corners of the world — all happening since a flare-up in border fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“Sort of a warning sign from people who are empathetic to the authoritarian regimes and the nationalism that’s prevalent in Turkey and Azerbaijan,” Haig Baghdassarian with the Armenian National Committee of America said. 

Alumni, staff and supporters showed up to the school Friday to try to help clean up.

San Francisco police said their special investigations unit will lead the investigation. Officers said the hate crime aspect isn’t being ruled out, but they said the investigation is just in its early stages.

Emil Lazarian: “I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS