Wave Staff Report
MONTEBELLO — Los Angeles County Board Chair Hilda L. Solis attended the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Ceremony April 24 at the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument here.
The ceremony, hosted by the United Armenian Council of Los Angeles, marked the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, a dark chapter in history in which 1.5 million Armenians were killed, displaced or silenced in 1915.
The Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument is a monument dedicated to the victims of the Armenian genocide of 1915. The monument, opened in April 1968 in the city’s Bicknell Park, is a tower of eight arches supported on 75-foot-tall white concrete columns.
Thousands of Armenians from throughout the Los Angeles area gather at the monument every year on April 24 to lay flowers to the victims of the genocide.
Following the ceremony, Solis issued the following statement:
“On this Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, we remember the loss of loved ones and honor their memory by telling the truth about what happened, and by committing ourselves to justice, accountability and prevention,” Solis said. “Despite unimaginable loss, survivors rebuilt their lives, preserved their culture and strengthened their communities, including those who fled persecution and established new roots in the United States and Los Angeles County.
“Now more than ever, it is vital that we preserve history, reject hate and safeguard our communities,” Solis added. “Let us recognize both the loss and the resilience of our Armenian communities and reaffirm our shared commitment to remembrance and justice.”
On April 7, the county Board of Supervisors proclaimed April 24, as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day through a motion co-authored by Chair Solis. The proclamation honors the lives lost and those impacted by the tragedy.
Solis represents vibrant Armenian communities, including Little Armenia in East Hollywood and Montebello, home to the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument, as well as Gloria Molina Grand Park, which features the Armenian Genocide Memorial.
