The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region, through its proactive consultations with Los Angeles City Council members, the Mayor’s Office, the Los Angeles Police Department, and state legislators’ offices, confirms that the organizers of the Ottoman

Military Marching Band, who were planning on holding a procession on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles on October 3, have decided to pull their permit and cancel the event.

The ANCA-WR also commends the strength and unity of the Los Angeles Armenian American community, which collectively voiced its shock that such an event was taking place and exemplified its readiness to quickly mobilize to address this grievous transgression.

Although no reason was given for the cancellation, the widespread outrage in the community, and concurrent well-publicized announcement by the Armenian Youth Federation calling for a massive protest, undoubtedly impacted the organizers’ decision to ultimately retreat from their ill-conceived plan to hold this event just one mile from the border of Little Armenia in Hollywood.

In solidarity with the Armenian American community, Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, in a strongly worded statement, underscored the ludicrousness of the event: “This planned performance, supposedly to celebrate an event taking place in Orange County, is a provocation of the Armenian community at a time when the community celebrates 20 years of Armenian independence.”

The ANCA-WR also thanks California State Senator Kevin De Leon’s concern about this issue and his staff’s assistance in diligently attending to this matter while regularly communicating with our staff.