Lowell makes pitch for genocide memorial

by Tom Vartabedian

Published: Monday October 18, 2010

Lowell Mayor James Milinazzo meets with ANC members Armen Jeknavorian, left, and Stephen Dulgarian, right, to discuss plans for a genocide memorial by City Hall.

Lowell, Mass. - Long a hotbed for Armenian activity, the City of Lowell will show its appreciation by honoring a special request.

A genocide memorial will soon be erected right by Municipal Hall on land donated by the city. It will be right by a flagpole that flies the Armenian Tricolor every April during a genocide commemoration and traditional flag-raising ceremony.

Mayor James L. Milinazzo gave his blessings toward the project after meeting with members of the Armenian National Committee of Merrimack Valley, which is spearheading the endeavor.

"Armenians have long been a prominent fixture in our community," he said. "Immigrants have settled here and contributed to the overall economy in every manner possible. They are a proud ethnic race and deserve this memorial as a testament to all those who survived the genocide as well as the 1.5 million victims who perished at the hands of the Ottoman Turks during 1915-1923."

Although the ANC is serving as the catalyst, a pan-Armenian committee will be formed to include churches, benevolent groups, and the youth. The monument will serve as an icon for all Merrimack Valley, which houses some 5,000 Armenians and three Apostolic churches.

Plans call for an aggressive fund-raising campaign to have the memorial in place for the genocide centennial in 2015. Projected cost for the stone and appropriate landscaping is between $15,000-$20,000.

Committee members feel the memorial could be erected well before the centennial date, depending on outside contributions. It occurs at a time when a Heritage Park project is taking place on Boston's Rose Kennedy Greenway by Faneuil Hall.

Already in place at Lowell City Hall are monuments depicting the Polish and Portuguese populations. The Armenian stone will run parallel to the Portuguese by the front stairs, visible to foot traffic.

For years, Armenians have gathered here for their observances each April 24. Proclamations have been delivered and the staircase has served as a rallying point. A monument will serve as the added complement.

"We'll get the spot reserved and have it on everybody's radar," said Mayor Milinazzo. "Such a memorial would be an honor for our city. What's critical at this point is how to get the project going."

A presentation will be made before the City Council.

During the formative stages, a sign will be erected on the spot reading: "Future site of Armenian Genocide Memorial."