Vigil For People Of Artsakh To Be Held In Manhattan Beach Sunday

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Manhattan Beach residents are among the South Bay community members gathering in Manhattan Beach tomorrow [Sunday, Oct. 25] from 5-7 p.m. to commemorate and honor the lives of soldiers and the people of Artsakh [aka Nagorno-Karabakh] lost defending their home and holy lands with Armenia from Azerbaijan and Turkey, according to a news release.

"On September 27, 2020, Azerbaijan, with the support of Turkey, launched a massive attack against the Republic of Artsakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh, where 95% of the population is ethnic Armenians," explained Manhattan Beach resident Mariana Kazarian. "Azerbaijan is attempting to overtake this area through violent means with Turkey’s unwavering commitment to assist in this goal, with 10 million Azeris and 80 million Turks. Armenia’s population of 3 million is vastly outnumbered. This is not just about two sides fighting over a piece of land. This is about an ethnic community, the Armenians who live in Artsakh, fighting for their survival.

"To exacerbate the situation, Turkey has paid Syrian mercenaries to attack Armenians," she added, "and Azerbaijan and Turkey are using banned cluster bombs in civilian areas of Artsakh, which violates international law. This is part of Turkey's goal of creating a pan-Turkic state and its attempt to obliterate Armenia and Armenian people — a mere continuation of the Armenian Genocide. When we watch history repeat itself like this, it becomes a threat not just to the group of people who are impacted but to humanity. This is why we are holding a peaceful vigil to honor the innocent lives lost. Our intention is to spread peace, bring awareness to these devastating circumstances and say a prayer."

The event will consist of a peaceful candlelight vigil, memorial and peaceful candlelight vigil, memorial and procession, as well as speakers and spiritual leaders calling for prayers of peace and awareness of the humanitarian crisis and conflict in Artsakh and the Caucasus, according to event organizers. Masks are required.

The meeting place is in Metlox Plaza, 451 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, next to Shade Hotel Manhattan Beach.

Many locals and spiritual leaders are coming together to be at the event, including

• Eric Ashkarian, senior at Mira Costa High School, who will give a performance of “Eccles Sonata in G minor”.
• Jack Enson, a 5th grader at Robinson Elementary in Manhattan Beach, expresses the importance to children of living in peace and how this conflict impacted him.
• Monsignor John Barry of American Martyrs Church in Manhattan Beach
• Rabbi Joshua Kalev of Congregation Tikvat Jacob Beth Torah
• Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church located in Redondo Beach
• Priest Karekin Bedourian of Forty Martyrs Armenian Church in Orange County
• St. James Armenian Church in Los Angeles
• Peter Abajian, executive director, The Paros Foundation, presents the conflict background and current events in Armenia and Artsakh today.
• Haig Boyadjian, senior director of development, Children of Armenia Fund, shares his personal experience of youth he has seen grow up and have recently perished in the war.

After the speakers, there will be a musical and candlelight procession toward the Manhattan Beach Pier. Here is the planned route:

• Walk via 13th Street, right on Highland Avenue to Manhattan Beach Boulevard toward Manhattan Beach Pier, and walk on the pier out to it end and around the Roundhouse and back.

Colorful displays of Armenian and American flags and red, blue and orange-colored carnations will be spread over the ocean at the base of Manhattan Beach Pier,following the presentation.

Armenia Fund donation boxes will be provided by volunteers; donation table located at the T-shirt table in Metlox Plaza at Morningside Drive and 13th Street in Manhattan Beach.