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On April 24, 1915, the Turkish Government perpetrated against Armenian people what is commonly referred to as the first genocide of the 20th century, which continued until 1923 and resulted in the death of 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children.
As a way of recognizing the pain and sorrow, April 24 is “Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide Day” in the City of South Pasadena.
Representatives from the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), Pasadena Chapter, were in attendance at last week’s South Pasadena City Council meeting to accept a proclamation from Mayor Dr. Marina Khubesrian.
Shoghig Yepremian, chair of the local organization, thanked the City Council for the proclamation, explaining that the Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots organization. “Working in coordination with various offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.”
Yepremian reminded audience members and those watching the meeting on television from home that “it’s a somber time in our community as we approach April 24 to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.”
It marks the 104th anniversary of the Genocide as communities continue to fight for justice.
On Wednesday, April 24, community members are invited to the Genocide Monument in Montebello to commemorate the anniversary. A similar ceremony was held recently in Pasadena at Memorial Park.
To date, 49 out of 50 states in the nation have recognized the Armenian Genocide. Mississippi is the lone state that has not recognized the Armenian Genocide.
At the national level, a bipartisan effort, Yepremian noted, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Democrat Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and former presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz (R-Tx) introduced Armenian Genocide legislation on April 10 reaffirming proper U.S. recognition and remembrance.
“As a community, it is appropriate for us to stand together and join our Armenian brothers and sisters in this centennial anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in an effort to memorialize their fallen ancestors and to ensure that this horrible act is not repeated,” reads a portion of the proclamation presented by the mayor.
