Pasadena Armenian Community Plans 4 Days of Action in Support of Artsakh

A coalition of Pasadena-area clergy and community organizations have formed a group to decry the recent violence in Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, as fighting continues between the small ethnically Amernian nation and its neighbor, Azerbaijan.

“Pasadena for Artsakh” is planning four days of activism to support and draw attention to the violence, which began on Sept. 27, re-igniting clashes on a level not seen since the 1990s.

“The citizenry of Pasadena cannot simply stand by and remain silent and apathetic as these atrocities are continually perpetrated upon the Armenian people” Shahe Jierian of the Pasadena for Artsakh Leadership Council said in a written statement.

“We, as a whole and in unison, will stand up and state unequivocally that peace must prevail in the region, condemn Azerbaijan’s attacks on Artsakh and its people, raise immediate public, social and media awareness of the humanitarian crimes currently being carried out there against our Armenian brothers and sisters, and pray for a quick and thorough cessation of the Azeri attacks there, so a peaceful and final resolution can be realized,” he said.

The group was working to provide moral and financial support to Artsakh, as well as advocate for its cause, organizers said.

“These renewed rounds of attacks, launched by Azerbaijan’s military forces — aided and abetted by the Turkish government and its military — have since led to massive damage, loss, destruction and devastation to life and property,” the statement said.

Pasadena for Artsakh is planning a series of events Wednesday through Saturday to bring light to the issue.

A solidarity ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, in front of Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., according to the group. A march to the Armenian Genocide Memorial, 85 E. Holly St., and candlelight vigil will follow immediately at 7:30 p.m.

The organization is also planning a fundraising dinner at 7 p.m. Friday at the Hovhannes and Hripsime Jivalagian Youth Center, 2242 E. Foothill Blvd.

A town hall meeting on the conflict will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Hovhannes and Hripsime Jivalagian Youth Center, according to Pasadena for Artsakh.

Finally, a car wash and breakfast-to-go event will take place Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., also at the Hovhannes and Hripsime Jivalagian Youth Center.

For more information, Boghos Patatian of the Pasadena for Artsakh Leadership Council can be reached at (626) 818-9004.

See also:

Pasadena’s Armenian Community Decries Violence in Nagorno-Karabakh, Calls for U.S. Action

Locals Decry Broken Ceasefire in Armenia, Azerbaijan Conflict