We are heartbroken to inform you that the Colorado State Capitol Khachkar memorial to the Armenian Genocide and to the victims of all crimes against humanity has been vandalized with spray paint graffiti during the ongoing protests in downtown Denver.
Since the Khachkar commemorates the victims of all crimes against humanity, including slavery and state-sponsored racism, it is ironic that individuals who claim to seek justice have vandalized the very monument that honors the victims of injustice.
Protest leaders have repeatedly denounced violence and vandalism. We do not hold the peaceful protesters responsible for the behavior of violent individuals. As Armenian Americans, a community that has survived genocide and centuries of oppression, we recognize and condemn the ongoing injustices against our African American community and we join them in calling for justice for George Floyd.
Earlier today, our community leadership discussed scenarios for protecting the Khachkar monument before we found out that it had been vandalized. One idea to protect the monument was boarding it up, which could have made the khachkar more vulnerable by making it inflammable. Any vandalism against the Capitol khachkar is particularly painful given that it is a replica of one of the 3,000 medieval cross-stones of the legendary Djulfa cemetery destroyed by Azerbaijan’s government in 2005 as part of their plan of erasing the Armenian history in Nakhichevan.
We will continue to monitor the ongoing protests and consider short-term and long-term solutions for the protection of the Colorado State Capitol memorial to the victims of all crimes against humanity. If necessary, we will rebuild our sacred monument again and again, while defending human rights and equality for all.
May 30, 2020
Guest Contributor
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This attack is part of general, indiscriminate mob violence against everything. It happened because the khatchkar is on state house property. You can see that in the messages painted.
If something had been placed there by Azeris or the Talaat Pasha Society, the same thing would have happened.
Let’s not over-analyze it.
Well, can’t these people read????? Just read the plaque and you can see why this is erected. Just ignorance
Random violence and hatred. Do not let this unfortunate incident demean the overall important message of the cross. It is forgiveness, understanding and love. We will never forget the horror of the Genocide. Armenians stand with all Americans in eliminating hate, discrimination and racism in America. May God Bless us all.
Uh guys its likely becasue there was a cross there representing Christianity… BLM’s foundation and founders are self described Marxists…stop drinking the kool aid… you can support African Americans and justice without bowing down to BLM. No Christian would deface a cross. https://blexitfoundation.org/
Unfortunately there is a lot of ignorance around history and many are ignorant to our history. If we take a step back and examine our experiences we may discover that we have more in common than we think . This gives way to empathic understanding. While the genocide was a devastating moment in our Armenian history I would like to think that we can empathize with the sufferings of other cultures. Perhaps this is the light that shines through a dark moment in time. Most importantly, I agree with my previous posters….. in God we are all one and when we cannot forgive the Lord imparts his grace to us for us to forgive.
It’s interesting that my grandmother survived the Armenian genocide when the Turks sold her to African Arabs She had the brand marks across her chest. I would say Black Lives Matter owes my family
There is no excuse for this hatred, vandalism, and destruction. Least of all, ignorance. This is an insult to those who died and those who who suffered and survived The Genocide.