PRESS RELEASE
Armenian National Committee of South Florida
931 NE 48 Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334
Contact: Michael Toumayan
Tel: 561-716-6155
E-mail: ancflorida@bellsouth.net
Web:

ANC FLORIDA EDUCATES THOUSANDS OF FLORIDIANS

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA – Thousands of Floridians, from the serene
Panhandle to sultry Miami, attended the System of a Down concerts in
Pensacola, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale held from August 15-17. While
enjoying the music of one of rock music’s most notable bands, they
were also apprised of the ongoing fight for United States recognition
of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of
Florida.

Young politically aspired activists from organizations such as the
Armenian National Committee of South Florida, Axis of Justice, Amnesty
International Miami chapter, and Florida Voter Registration, set up
booths at the entrances of the Office Depot Center in Fort Lauderdale
at the request of System of a Down (SOAD) to educate the public about
injustices occurring throughout the world.

Representing the Armenian National Committee of South Florida were
activist Taniel Koushakjian, and ANCA 2004 summer intern Michael
Toumayan. The two Hai Tahd activists provided critical analysis of the
injustice behind many of the Turkish government’s policies, thereby
convincing over 200 people to sign a petition in less than 2 hours in
support of the House Resolution (H.Res.) 316, which would reaffirm the
U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide.

The petition titled `End the Cycle of Genocide’ is a two-part letter
addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Dennis
Hastert, urging him to work for a timely passage of legislation
recognizing the Armenian Genocide, and to work for the passage of the
Darfur Peace and Accountability Act to bring an end to the systematic
massacres and forced starvation in the Darfur region of Sudan.

Toumayan and Koushakjian came across two SOAD fans of Turkish
ancestry. `When Taniel asked them to sign the petition, they looked at
us and pointed to the red Crescent and Star imprinted on their
t-shirts, indicating that they were Turkish and do not support our
cause that contradicts their views,’said Toumayan.

Many fans of Armenian ancestry came running to the ANC booth when they
recognized the tri-colored ANCA logo in the background. For them, a
System of a Down Concert is the ultimate venue for marrying their
concern for the Armenian Cause with their enjoyment of contemporary
music they can relate to. The Armenian flag could be seen fading in
crowd in the monumental arena as thousands jumped up and down and
shook their heads to SOAD’s revolutionary, adrenaline pumping music.