California
Marchers Thank Churches
Group Completes Second Week of Walking, Conquers 160
Miles
Stockton, Calif.
April 15, 2005 - As the March For Humanity makes
its way from Fresno, Calif. to Sacramento, churches have
warmly welcomed the group of 16 young walkers with open
arms.
“One of our main concerns when we
began planning the march was where we would sleep each
of the 19 nights,” said Serouj Aprahamian coordinator
of the march. “However, many churches throughout
our route sympathized with our efforts and became our
second homes, there kindness and generosity will not be
forgotten.”
Before departing from the churches, the
group shows its appreciation to administrators by presenting
them with Peter Balakian’s Black Dog of Fate and
a pomegranate ornament, the Armenian traditional symbol
for life.
As the group walks from city to city public
awareness about their undertaking continuously grows and
residents of the areas they march through encourage and
support their efforts by offering food, water, and even
donations.
“All churches we stayed at provided
their facilities to us with no questions asked and no
strings attached,” said Aprahamian. “This
shows that in the battle to secure justice for the victims
of the Armenian Genocide, we have the support of the masses,
and that the masses have the understanding and knowledge
to stand behind the righteous.”
Defying sore muscles and aching joints,
the group has already marched close to 160 miles in 14
consecutive days. Determined to inform the world about
the Armenian Genocide and the 1.5 million innocent lives
that were lost as a result of the crime against humanity,
the marchers will continue walking until they arrive at
the State Capitol.
Upon arrival at the capitol building,
the brave youth will join a large rally, organized to
thank the state of California and the legislatures of
36 others for properly recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
“Alongside shelter, nutritious food
is crucial to the marchers. We are grateful to the Armenian
Relief Society for sponsoring all food expenses by allocated
a full time staff to travel with the marchers and prepare
meals for them,” said Vicken Sosikian, director
of the March For Humanity. “Other than great food,
the staff has also been a source of guidance and inspiration,
often taking the role of parents upon their shoulders.”
# # #
For more information about the March
For Humanity, the marchers, their shelter, and pictures,
please visit www.marchforhumanity.org.
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