News - Unidentified persons set fire to Armenian cemetery in Fresno

On the evening of April 12, unknown persons set fire to the Ararat Armenian cemetery in Fresno (California, USA), Zartonk reports. Eight trees were set on fire along the main entrance of this cemetery. Both Fresno Police and Fire were called out to the property, but no arrests have been made. Since January, this Armenian cemetery, which was established in 1885, has been targeted by an arsonist; six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. The cemetery’s Board is very concerned that all of the incidents are targeted hate crimes. The cemetery is the burial place of many prominent Armenian figures, including Soghomon Tehlirian, William Saroyan, Victor Maghakian, and more. This is concerning with the upcoming Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day, April 24. The estimate to remove and replace the trees is approximately $25,000