California Marchers Conquer 150 Mile Mark
Sore Muscles, Aching Joints Healed by Holistic and Natural Medicine

Stockton, Calif., April 13, 2005 - California youth, revitalized by expert alternative medicine, passed the 150-mile point of their 215 mile march and arrived in Stockton Wednesday.

Now on their eleventh day of walking, the marchers eat from a mobile lunch truck, shower in a RV and sleep in church halls; the group of close to twenty Armenian youth is walking from Fresno, Calif. in solidarity with the 1.5 million forgotten victims of the Armenian Genocide. The 19-day trek, which started on April 2 will conclude in Sacramento on April 21 with a mass rally at the steps of the state capitol building.

“When I first heard about the March For Humanity I knew that I wanted to walk the full distance,” said Sanan Shirinian, a 16-year-old high school junior. “I was often questioned about my ability to walk the full 215 miles, but I knew that this was the least I can do to seek recognition for the murder of my ancestors 90 years ago.”

Starting each morning by telling a story about a family member who survived the Genocide, the self-sacrificing youth walk an average of 12 to 15 miles each day, at times braving heavy rain and forceful winds.

The walkers have started to experience serious aches and sores in their feet and legs.Learning of the huge task undertaken by the marchers, Dr. Shahe Jierian, an expert in holistic and natural medicine, provided the walkers with massage utilizing acupressure to relax and heal pulled muscles and strained feet.

“I believe in the cause the marchers are walking for, I myself lost family members to the Genocide,” said Jierian. “I have a God given talent and this is the least I can do for those who volunteered to sacrifice a part of themselves. After all, holistic medicine and the well being of human beings, humanity, go hand in hand.”

Jierian, whose grandmother is a 97-year-old survivor of the Genocide, also walked more than 40 miles with the marchers in show of his solidarity to the victims of the Armenian Genocide and the young marchers.

Defying sore muscles, blistered feet, and aching legs, the marchers will continue to walk an additional 70 miles, rain or shine, until they arrive at the California State Capitol on April 21.

The Armenian Genocide began in 1915 and lasted for more than six years, claiming the lives of more than 1.5 million men, women and children. While many nations recognize and condemn the crime committed against the Armenian people, the Turkish government has denied it for the past 90 years.

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For more information about the March For Humanity, the marchers, their shelter, and pictures, please visit www.marchforhumanity.org.

Media Contact:
Serouj Aprahamian (818) 507.1933

Vicken Sosikian
(818) 419.5157

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