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BY GAREN YEGPARIAN

This year I attended far fewer Genocide commemorative activities than I typically do, primarily because I was sick and did not want to infect a large portion of the Los Angeles Armenian community. Consequently, this article will be much shorter than in previous years, and my reflections on where we stand, far more limited.

Proceeding in chronological order, Burbank was the site of the first two I attended. Unfortunately, both were weak in attendance, mostly because publicizing them started late and was minimal. The city council issued its annual proclamation on Tuesday, April 17, with a few words delivered by the Burbank ANCA in the presence a couple of dozen Armenians. Coincidentally, an item on the council’s agenda regarding an appeal fee overlapped with Armenian concerns. The fact that this appeal was being abused by some residents was raised. The abuse manifested itself as a clear bias in that the appeals targeted Armenians remodeling homes far more frequently than others. Two days later, the Burbank School Board passed a Genocide resolution. A few students and recent graduates spoke to the issue and parents were present, so attendance by Armenians was better than at the city council meeting. But, by a stroke of good fortune, a large number of teachers were present because of contract negotiations and heard about the Genocide. They also made supportive comments, many on Facebook.

That Saturday, April 21, was the Cycle Against Denial organized by the AYF’s Sardarabad Chapter. This was the ninth year of the event. Happily, the number of participants had increased over last year (which was anemic) and was back in its typical range of 100-200. Sporting the same t-shirt, all those bicyclists catch people’s attention when riding through the fairly pedestrian friendly areas of Santa Monica and Venice. I really wish more people would participate I this event. It’s a fantastic way to inform people, and is eminently doable since it is a very easy ride.

The following day, April 22, was the Armenian Cycling Association’s (ACA) annual commemorative ride. This is a tougher ride and draws fewer participants. It has been going on for some 15 years (I don’t know its exact start year). Starting at the Armenian Catholic church in Glendale, bicyclists ride to the martyrs’ monument in Montebello and return. Some years the ride is on the same day as the gathering held at the monument. This year, the ride was shorter, to Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles where a commemorative monument was placed three years ago. The number of participants was roughly the same as last year, which was the first time I had participated.

Here I’ll point out some interesting scheduling “conflictsâ€