Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan makes first-ever appearance at Grand Park in DTLA

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Crowds of people gathered in downtown Los Angeles Sunday afternoon for a chance to see the Prime Minister of Armenia.

Nikol Pashinyan spoke at Grand Park in his first ever appearance in the city, which is home to the largest Armenian community outside Armenia itself, according to a press release from L.A. Councilmember Paul Krekorian's office.

"The prime minister led Armenia's peaceful velvet revolution, in which citizens overthrew a corrupt regime and established free elections and open government," Krekorian said, who is the first Armenian-American to be elected to the Los Angeles City Council.

The democratically-elected leader took office in May of 2018 and supporters say he has been working to reform the government. He led what has been called the "Velvet Revolution," in which citizens overthrew the regime and established free elections.

Those living in the U.S. say it is a huge step forward for the country.

"It just shows that we're a community that sticks together and we're proud of where we come from and we respect Armenia," Sherman Oaks resident Zara Aleksanyan-Stavrou said.

Several public service officials were in attendance, including Mayor Eric Garcetti and Rep. Adam Schiff.