LOS ANGELES—More than 500 students from Los Angeles-area Armenian schools united in a student-led Walk-A-Thon on November 14 to protest the selection of Baku as the host city for the United Nations Climate Summit, known as COP29, currently underway in Azerbaijan.
Organized by the students from Ferrahian High School, Armenian Mesrobian School, Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School, and AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School, this powerful march was aimed at bringing international attention to Azerbaijan’s ongoing human rights abuses, including ethnic cleansing and violations against ethnic Armenians in Artsakh and the demand for the release of Armenian Prisoners of War and Artsakh’s political leadership from the Baku jails.
The walk-a-thon began at Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church in Encino and concluded at St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church in Van Nuys. Along the route, students walked in solidarity, carrying banners and signs, making their voices heard through chants and slogans that condemned the authoritarian Azerbaijani regime’s belligerent actions.
Religious leaders, including Western Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Western Prelate Archbishop Kegham Khatcherian, Councilmember-elect Adrin Nazarian, a proud alumnus of Ferrahian High School, clergy members, and student council leaders, all addressed the crowd. They highlighted the urgent need for action in response to Azerbaijan’s actions.
The presence of the Councilmember-elect underscored the broader community support for Armenian-American youth voicing their opposition to Azerbaijan’s choice as COP29 host. He emphasized the importance of unity, expressing that each student who participated in the Walk-A-Thon should, in the future, look back with pride and admiration, remembering their involvement in an event driven by noble intentions and committed to making a meaningful impact on the world.
“This conference is named ‘COP for Peace,’ but what kind of peace is it when the country continues to destroy Armenian culture and detains dozens of prisoners of war and political figures? We will demand the safe return of our prisoners so that future generations may continue to live as Armenians, always to return to and feel the power of our homeland once again,” Ferrahian Student Council President Hrayr Seraydarian said.
“ We are here today because we refuse to be erased. Today, we’re gathered for our ancestors whose spirits live on the soil of Artsakh. We stand here in solidarity with every prisoner of war held in Baku, whose crimes were being born Armenian,” Pilibos Student Council President Daron Kasparian mentioned in his speech.
“Let us no longer say that we will become strong one day. Let us act today and realize the sacred task of becoming strong. Whether in Armenia or the Diaspora, let us work together for the salvation of our nation and the release of our prisoners of war,” Mesrobian Student Council President Nairee Navarro said.
“This isn’t just an Armenian or Azerbaijani issue. It’s a human rights issue that calls for compassion and justice. These men and women have families—mothers, fathers, children—who deserve closure and the chance to be reunited with their loved ones,” AGBU Student Council President Karin Oruncakciel stated.
With COP29 set to spotlight global environmental stewardship, the students’ demonstration highlighted Azerbaijan’s contradictory record. They questioned how a state known for environmental degradation and human rights abuses could be chosen as host, urging world leaders to reconsider the implications of COP29 in Azerbaijan and to stand firmly against the hypocrisy of ‘greenwashing’ authoritarian practices.
The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States, coordinating with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the region and affiliated organizations to promote the Armenian Cause.
