Wednesday marks Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, with rallies and events being held across the L.A. area to observe the day of remembrance.
Southern California is home to the greatest number of Armenians outside of Armenia itself, with Glendale in particular hosting a “high concentration of Armenians,” according to the Consulate General of Armenia in Los Angeles.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law in 2022 declaring April 24 as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, making it a state holiday in which schools and community colleges could close. April 24, 1915, is considered to be the start of the mass deportation and execution of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire.
In a statement, the governor said that the genocide commemoration is “more than a history lesson.”
“Genocide commemoration is a powerful tool to engage people across generations in the sanctity of human rights, the enormity of crimes and how to prevent future atrocities,” Gov. Newsom said.
President Joe Biden also issued a statement regarding Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day on Wednesday, condemning the “campaign of cruelty” while remembering those who lost their lives and commending the Armenian community on their perseverance.
“After enduring one of the darkest chapters in human history, survivors began forging a better future in our world,” President Biden said. “With courage and commitment, they rebuilt their lives…they preserved their culture [and] they strengthened the fabric of nations around the world, including our own.”
Schools in Los Angeles and Glendale and many Armenian-owned businesses will be closed on Wednesday for the holiday, and local events include a march in Hollywood set to begin at 10 a.m. on Hollywood Boulevard, which will be closed at Hobart Boulevard and Western Avenue during the rally.
The march looks to bring attention to the Armenian community’s demand for justice for their ancestors as well as reparations and restitution for the 1.5 million lives lost.
“The first message is that a genocide denied is a genocide repeated,” said Edward Barsoumian, the Director of Coalitions and Community Development at the Armenian National Committee of America. “The main message now is that we don’t just want recognition and justice for the Armenian Genocide of 1915, we also want genocide right of return and accountability for Azerbaijan’s genocide of the Republic of Artsakh.”
A protest outside the Turkish Consulate in Beverly Hills is scheduled for noon on Wednesday, and a community event will take place outside the Glendale City Hall at 4:30 p.m.
KTLA is paying tribute to local Armenians making a positive impact in their community during Armenian History Month in Los Angeles County with a 30-minute special airing on Friday at 2:30 p.m.
