Los Angeles Marches, Rallies Commemorate Armenian Killings

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — Weekend vigils, marches and demonstrations were held across the Los Angeles area to commemorate the killings of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians under the Ottoman Empire more than a century ago.

Hundreds rallied Sunday afternoon outside the Turkish Consulate just hours after a procession marched through the Little Armenia neighborhood.

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Demonstrators carrying banners reading "Never Again" and "Turkey Must Pay" were met at the consulate by a small number of counter-protesters kept by police behind a barrier. There were no immediate reports of any arrests.

On Saturday night, thousands gathered at Glendale City Hall to call for an official recognition of the killings as a genocide, which the United States has not done. There was also a special observance Saturday at the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument in Montebello.

This year, Glendale Unified became the first school district in the country to establish a day of remembrance.

Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed starting in April 1915. Turkey denies the killings were genocide and contends those who died were victims of civil war and unrest. Turkey also insists the death toll has been inflated.

Hollywood Boulevard has been blocked off for Sunday's march. For an update on traffic conditions, listen to KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO.

Three people were arrested, while no one was seriously injured.

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