The Pan Armenian Council of the Western United States is profoundly dismayed by and strongly condemns the recent destructive arson at the Ararat Armenian Cemetery in Fresno, where eight trees near the cemetery’s historic gates were set ablaze in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 13.
The Ararat Cemetery holds the distinction of being the oldest Armenian cemetery in the United States, serving as the final resting place for hundreds of Armenians since the 19th century including renowned figures Soghomon Tehlirian and William Saroyan.
Every year on April 24th, the cemetery is purposed as a safe gathering place for the community at large to solemnly commemorate the anniversary of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, during which more than 1.5 million Armenians were systematically massacred and displaced from their ancestral lands by Ottoman Turks. Beyond remembering the victims, these annual gatherings also function as demonstrations, urging the global community to recognize the genocide that both Turkey and Azerbaijan actively deny to this day.
It’s deeply concerning that this recent fire occurred just eleven days before Ararat Cemetery observes this year’s Armenian Genocide commemoration—and more disturbingly, that it’s the sixth incident of its kind since January of this year. These repeated acts of arson have set aflame nineteen trees so far, causing significant and costly damage to the cemetery’s oldest sections.
Ignoring this recurring pattern would be gravely irresponsible. The Pan-Armenian Council strongly urges federal, state, and Fresno’s local authorities to immediately undertake a comprehensive investigation and act decisively to apprehend the responsible culprit(s). We emphasize that the frequency, severity, and similarity of these incidents at the Ararat Armenian Cemetery necessitate a serious consideration of these crimes as deliberate acts of vandalism and hate crime.
Listed below are the member organizations of the Pan Armenian Council of the Western United States (PAC-WUSA).
All-Armenian Student Association
Armenian Assembly of America
Armenian Bar Association
Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Nareg of North America
Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar) Western USA
Armenian Educational Foundation
Armenian Evangelical Union of North America
Armenian General Benevolent Union, Western District
Armenian International Women’s Organization
Armenian Missionary Association of America
Armenian National Committee of America, Western Region
Armenian Relief Society of Western USA
Armenian Revolutionary Federation of Western USA
Armenian Rights Council of America Western USA
Armenian Society of Los Angeles – Iranahay Miutyun
Armenian Youth Association of California – Irakahay Miutyun
Armenian Youth Federation of Western USA
Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of the Western USA
Homenetmen Western USA
Iraqi Armenian Family Association of Los Angeles
Kessab Educational Association
Organization of Istanbul Armenians
Service Employees International Union – Armenian Caucus
Southern California Armenian Democrats
Tekeyan Cultural Association
Unified Young Armenians
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
The post Pan Armenian Council Condemns and Urges Investigation into Recurring Arsons at Fresno’s Historic Ararat Armenian Cemetery first appeared on The South Caucasus News.