ARTESIA, Calif.—The City of Artesia has officially proclaimed April 24th as Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day, reports the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region.
“We are incredibly grateful for the City of Artesia’s leadership in honoring the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide, and in joining growing calls for ensuring public education of this heinous crime against humanity”, remarked ANCA-WR Interim Executive Director Verginie Touloumian.
“Over a century has passed since the Armenian Genocide, yet to this day the Armenian people continue to face a threat to their very existence at the hands of Turkey and Azerbaijan. Proclamations such as these are important in not only ensuring this historic crime against our people isn’t forgotten, and so that it may never be repeated,” concluded Touloumian.
The proclamation issued on May 9 2022 was initiated by Councilmember Ali Sajjad Taj and formally issued to representatives of the Armenian-American community by Mayor Melissa Ramoso and all the members of Artesia City Council.
“It is an honor and a privilege to present this proclamation marking April 24th as Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day in the City of Artesia,” remarked Mayor Ramoso.
“Having marched alongside the Armenian-American community year after year demanding justice for Armenian Genocide, I am proud to have the opportunity to honor the memory of its victims and survivors through this proclamation, and to stand against genocide denial in all its forms,” Mayor Ramoso concluded.
“It was an honor to stand with my Armenian brothers and sisters in drafting this proclamation commemorating Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in the City of Artesia,” remarked Sajjad Taj.
“In issuing this proclamation, we make a pledge to remain ever vigilant in the face of genocide denial and commit ourselves to combat hatred in all its forms so as to ensure the lessons of history aren’t forgotten,” he added.
Those in attendance included Mayor of Glendale Ardashes Kassakhian, former Mayor of Montebello Jack Hadjinian, ANCA-WR Board Member Anahid Oshagan, ANCA San Gabriel Valley Chapter representatives Ashod Mooradian and Viken Pakradouni, and the ANCA-WR staff.
The proclamation, in addition to honoring the memory of the innocent lives lost during the deliberate and systematic campaign to destroy the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian peoples by the Ottoman Turkish government, also acknowledged the vital role of the Near East Relief Organization – in conjunction with the U.S. Government and everyday Americans – in assisting survivors of the genocide. The proclamation went on to call for broader education on the Armenian Genocide and its enduring impact on the Armenian people.
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots organization in the Western United States and working with its network of local offices and chapters throughout the region, the ANCA-WR ensures that the concerns of the Armenian American community are heard in the halls of government. All members of the community who are U.S. citizens are encouraged to support the Armenian Cause by voting in each election.
