Today, over 500 students from Ferrahian High School, AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School, Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School, and Armenian Mesrobian School united in a student-led walkathon to protest the selection of Baku, Azerbaijan, as the host city for the COP29 UN climate summit. The demonstration aimed to draw attention to Azerbaijan’s ongoing human rights violations, ethnic cleansing, and genocide against ethnic Armenians in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), reports Zartonk Media.
The march, organized by Armenian-American students in Southern California, stretched from Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church in Encino to St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church in Van Nuys. It served as a response to Azerbaijan’s forced displacement of 120,000 ethnic Armenians from Artsakh following a nearly nine-month blockade and deprivation of essential humanitarian aid.
Participants included juniors and seniors from all four schools, who called for global recognition of these violations and demanded the right of return for the 120,000 forcibly displaced Armenians from their ancestral homes.
Ferrahian Principal Sossi Shanlian expressed pride: “It is a very proud moment for an Armenian school principal to witness the unity among all high school students in Southern California. Our collective advocacy will be the force that shapes the future of the Armenian Nation.”
AGBU MDS Head of School David Ghoogasian stated: “Collectively, the students of our four schools showed that they are not only future leaders but current leaders. They helped pave the way for the greater community to bring attention to our common cause.”
Pilibos Principal Souzy Ohanian emphasized: “Armenian high school students in Southern California unite, forging a legacy of solidarity and shared purpose.”
Mesrobian Principal Lena Garabedian added: “Our collective advocacy will be the force that shapes the future of the Armenian Nation.”
Archbishop Kegham Khatcherian, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, clergy members, and student council leaders addressed the crowd with speeches that highlighted the urgency of their cause.
In attendance was Council Member-Elect Adrin Nazarian, a Ferrahian alumnus, representing LA City Council District 2.
Although COP29’s focus is intended to be on clean and renewable energy, the selection of Baku as its host city has been met with sharp criticism from the protestors, who view it as a greenwashing effort by the Azerbaijani regime. Despite its attempts to portray itself as a champion of clean energy, Azerbaijan remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels and is accused of severe human rights abuses, including the detention of ethnic Armenian hostages.
The walkathon began at 10:00 AM PST at Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church and concluded at St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church at approximately 1:30 PM PST. The event featured speeches by community leaders, clergy, and student representatives, all emphasizing the urgent need for global accountability for Azerbaijan’s actions.
Photos by Garin Kevoian and Karni Markarian
