Genocide Commemorated at Providence City Hall

By Stephen Elmasian

Our flag flew proudly in front of the city and town halls across Rhode Island on April 24. It’s still up at the Rhode Island State House overlooking our capital city, where it also hangs from the balcony of Providence City Hall.

Our tricolor was inside the House of Representatives as Rep. Katherine Kazarian (East Providence) took the lead, officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

On April 27, close to 200 people gathered following church services at Sts. Vartanantz and began the police-escorted candlelight march toward Providence City Hall. The Homenetmen scouts proudly carried the American and Armenian flags as they played on the drums all the way down to City Hall.

AYF members carried a large coffin with the words, “1.5 Million Martyrs,” as well as other hand-made signs for a curious public that looked on, wondering the purpose of the march.

Once we arrived, we filled the council chambers of Providence City Hall.

Rep . Kazarian served as the emcee and began the program with Arch Priest Gomidas Baghsarian offering an opening prayer and statement. State Rep. Jared Nunes of Coventry/West Warwick, who is of Armenian descent, also spoke, and his words showed how proud he is of his heritage.

Council President Michael Solomon spoke and presented a citation from the City of Providence to the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Rhode Island, which was received by Steve Elmasian. Mayor James Diossa of Central Falls, who is from Columbia, South America, also spoke, and tied his nation and Armenia together most appropriately. He stood in for Providence Mayor Angel Tavares, who was in New York City on official business.

Councilman Nichalos Narducci, the Honorable Chief Judge Haiganush Bedrosian, and representatives of various Armenian organizations were among the honored guests.

The kemencha was played to perfection by Mr. Ariryan, and Shant Eghian performed a masterful vocal piece. Both of these men received standing ovations.

Rep. Kazarian presented a proclamation from Governor Linclon Chafee to the ANC-RI officially recognizing the genocide.

A closing prayer was given by Father Gomidas.

Flag Raising Held at Cranston City Hall

The Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Rhode Island hosted the annual flag raising ceremony last night before a packed audience at the Cranston City Hall. Among the speakers and invited guests were Mayor Allan Fung of Cranston (the host of the evening), Mayor Scott Avedisian of Warwick, State Sen. Hanna Gallo of Cranston, State Rep. Katherine Kazarian of East Providence, Chief Judge of the Family Court Haiganush Bedrosian, Lincoln School Committee Member Kristine Donabedian, former Cranston City Council Chair and State Rep. and Senator Aram Garabedian, and a representative of the office of U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. Blessings were given in English, and a closing prayer was given in Armenian by Arch Priest Gomidas Baghasrian of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church.