LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Armenians across Southern California came together Friday to remember the Armenian Genocide that took place more than a century ago, claiming the lives of more than 1 million victims at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.
April 24 is recognized globally as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, marking the start of the atrocities.
Several community rallies, marches and commemorations were set to take place throughout Los Angeles County, including events in Glendale, Pasadena and Beverly Hills to honor the victims and ensure their stories are never forgotten.
In 2022, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors proclaimed April as Armenian History Month. More than 200,000 Armenians live in L.A. County, making it home to the largest Armenian population outside of Armenia.
Friday’s community rallies and marches of remembrance are intended to signify a stand for dignity, justice and truth, organizers said.
Eyewitness News talked to some Armenians who say the pain of that history still haunts them.
“My great grandparents, on both sides, escaped the genocide, ended up somewhere in the Middle East,” said Mico Melkonian, who attended a “March for Remembrance” community rally in Beverly Hills.
“100 and some years later, my parents immigrated, came to this country,” Melkonian added. The Beverly Hills rally concluded at the Turkish Consulate where demonstrators held flags and signs, with some reading “shame on Turkey”.
The annual day of remembrance brought together generations, many with personal ties to survivors.
Armenian activists say this year’s gathering also serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving truth, as advocates continue pushing for global awareness and accountability.
“I’ve grown up in this country now, and this is my home, but it breaks my heart that my people had to be spread all over the world, persecuted because another nation wanted to wipe us off the face of the earth,” said Melkonian.
In Pasadena, an event is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Armenian Genocide Memorial at Pasadena Memorial Park and will feature a number of speakers.
In Glendale, several community leaders will be honored during an Armenian Genocide commemoration at the Glendale Central Library beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Organizers involved in the gatherings said events like these are critical not only for remembrance but also for educating the next generation.
“I feel like it’s really important for everyone, like my age, and everyone just in general, to start coming to these marches, because we need to know what happened to our country,” Alik Melkonian said.
Schools in the Glendale Unified School District were closed Friday in observance of the holiday.
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