Police are investigating anti-Armenian leaflets found in Glendale

GLENDALE, Calif. (KABC)– The discovery of anti-Armenian leaflets posted outside St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Glendale led to a condemnation by city officials on Friday.

“Sadly, anti-Armenian hatred and racism is alive and well and my community continues to be assaulted, harassed and traumatized by these acts taking place across the country,” said Suzie Abajian, Glendale City Clerk.

Eleven flyers were found, including one calling on Azerbaijan and Turkey to “complete the Armenian genocide.”

The flyer is said to be from supporters of Israel, contains Hebrew and is signed by a rabbi. However, the Glendale Police Department said it had no reason to believe the Jewish community had any connection to the flyers.

“The Glendale Police Department and I stand with the entire Glendale community against all incidents of hate,” Glendale Police Chief Manuel Cid said in a statement. “We will use all resources at our disposal to fully investigate all criminal activity related to this incident while we work with our community leaders to move forward.”

Glendale Police Commissioner Robert William said during a news conference Friday afternoon that a similar incident occurred in Beverly Hills.

Glendale is home to the largest Armenian-American population in the United States. The Armenian community say they are angry and scared.

“The threat of genocide is not protected speech, but a threat of violence that should be addressed appropriately,” Abajian said. “I don’t feel safe walking the streets of our city knowing that some people would like to see Armenians wiped from the face of the planet.”

Glendale Police say surveillance video they reviewed showed a person holding a bag filled with the flyers and they believe there may be more in the city.

The City News Service contributed to this report.