Armenians Join Torchlight Procession in Vancouver Honoring Armenian Genocide Victims

On April 24, a torchkight march was organized by the Armenian Youth Federation of Canada – Vancouver “Arshavir Shiragian” Chapter and the Armenian National Committee of Canada Western Region. The march began at Fraser Street and 41st Avenue, With torches in hand, pictures of Armenian political prisoners held in Baku and flags of Armenia, Artsakh, Canada, the march proceeded towards the Armenian Genocide Monument close by where a short program was held.

In this symbolic march participants demanded justice, reparations, and international condemnation of genocide denial. They also called out the governments of Turkey and Azerbaijan for the ongoing illegal imprisonment of Artsakh’s political leaders in Baku.

Vahe Andonian, Western Region Representative of the Armenian National Committee of Canada, addressed the crowd, expressing gratitude to the Canadian government and various provinces for their recognition of the Armenian Genocide. He urged Canada to go further: to criminalize genocide denial, to hold Turkey and Azerbaijan accountable, and to stand with Armenians in the fight for justice and the restoration of their lands.

Very Rev. pastor of the St . Gregory Armenian Apostolic church Father Vartan Tashjian then offered a moving prayer, calling on the youth to never give up the fight for truth and justice. He honored the memory of 1.5 million Armenian martyrs, as well as the over 5,000 indigenous people of Artsakh massacred in recent years by Azerbaijani forces.

We remember. We demand.
We Stand strong united.