More than 300 members of the Greater Philadelphia Armenian community came together in a show of unity on April 25 for the city’s annual Armenian Genocide Walk. Assembled by a committee of youth from a cross-section of Philadelphia’s Armenian organizations and churches, the walk served as a testament to the community’s resolve in ensuring proper recognition of the Armenian Genocide and preventing future crimes against humanity.
“The unity of Philadelphia’s Armenian community is what made our event a success,” said Meredith Avakian, the communications director for the Armenians of Philadelphia organizing committee. “We gathered and walked together as one unified group of people to take a stand against genocide. By sticking together, we set an example of our strength in numbers.”
The event began with a somber, 1.5-mile commemorative walk toward the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Along the way, participants laid roses at the foot of the famous Mher Statue in remembrance of the 1.5 million Armenians who perished during the denocide. Walking in unison with signs, flags, and banners, the procession drew the attention of many passersby who honked their horns and showed their moral support.
Following the walk, a formal memorial program commenced on the steps of the museum featuring local dignitaries, activists, artists, and clergyman. Cultural performances including a guitar prelude, poetry recital, and two performances by the Ararat Dance Ensemble were a mainstay of the afternoon, symbolizing the national perseverance of today’s youth and their will to stay connected to their heritage.
MC-ing the program was ANC-Pennsylvania chair Dr. Ara Chalian, who also served as co-chair of the Armenians of Philadelphia Committee alongside Vicken Bazarbashian. After offering his opening remarks and welcoming the attendees, Chalian proceeded to introduce the various speakers on hand for the commemoration, including Pennsylvania State Senator Daylin Leach and Darfur Alert Coalition representative Ibrahim Hamid.
Former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia, John Marshall Evans, was also on hand as the keynote speaker for the event. In 2005, Evans became the first U.S. Ambassador to Armenia to openly speak about the facts of the Armenian Genocide, an act for which he was removed from his post as a distinguished career diplomat. He held true to his convictions and implored the audience to do the same, highlighting the importance of achieving a clear and honest recognition of the facts by the U.S. government.
The program concluded with a closing message and requiem service (hokehankisd) led by representatives and members of both churches in the community.
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