Glendale Community Commemorate Armenian Genocide at City Hall

GLENDALE — A Community Wide Event to commemorate the Armenian Genocide took place at Parcher Plaza, Glendale City Hall, on April 24, 2024. Organized by the Armenian Genocide Committee (AGC), a coalition of over a dozen organizations, the event provided an opportunity for the local community to honor the victims of the Armenian Genocide and pay tribute to those who lost their lives defending the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh.

The AGC is comprised of a cross-section of the Armenian diaspora, including religious, political, cultural, athletic, and professional organizations of the American Armenian community In Western United States.

 

The event began with the presentation of the colors by the AGBU and Homenetmen Scouts, followed by the Merdinian School Student Choir performing the national anthems of the United States, Armenia, and Artsakh.

Krikor Moloyan Sevan Der Bedrossian Levon Baronian

Krikor Moloyan delivered opening remarks and called for a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of the Armenian Genocide and those who defended the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh. Sevan Der Bedrosian addressed the audience in Armenian on behalf of the AGC, sharing perspectives that provided historical and cultural context. Levon Baronian spoke in English on behalf of the AGC, offering thoughtful insights into the significance of the event for the Armenian community.

 

Mayor Elen Asatryan welcomed everyone on behalf of the city of Glendale and invited City Councilmembers Ara Najarian, Vartan Gharpetian, and Dan Brotman to the stage. Their participation underscored the city’s ongoing support for the Armenian community and its commitment to recognizing the importance of the commemoration.

Congressman Adam Schiff delivered a speech emphasizing the significance of acknowledging historical events such as the Armenian Genocide. He also presented Mayor Asatryan with a flag flown on Capitol Hill on April 24, a symbolic gesture that honored the victims and demonstrated respect for the Armenian community.

Congressman Adam Schiff Professor Irene Massimino

The event’s keynote speaker, Professor Irene Massimino, is a lawyer specializing in international criminal law and human rights law. She teaches at the Indiana University School of Law and has served as Rapporteur of the High Criminal Court of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Massimino works in the fields of internal and international conflicts, human rights violations, and genocide, particularly related to the experiences of Armenia and Artsakh. Her involvement in various international investigative delegations and trial observation missions, coupled with her co-founding of the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, provided the audience with an understanding of the Armenian Genocide from historical, legal, and cultural perspectives.

 

The participating organizations in the AGC include the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Nareg in the United States and Canada, Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, Social Democrat Hunchakian Party, Armenian General Benevolent Union Western Region, Armenian Relief Society Western US, Armenian Assembly of America Western US, Armenian National Committee of America Western Region, Armenian Council of America, Homenetmen Western USA Region, Homenmen Athletic Association USA Region, Armenian Youth Federation, Gaidz Youth Organization, Armenian Bar Association, Organization of Istanbul Armenians, and Southern California Armenian Democrats.