1,000 JOIN SOAD RALLY URGING TURKEY TO END ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DENIAL

Yerkir
25.04.2006 15:18

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Armenian Americans from across the United States
joined today with System Of A Down’s Serj Tankian and John Dolmayan
at a Washington, DC “Rally for Justice,” urging the Turkish Government
to end its worldwide campaign of Armenian Genocide denial.

Organized by the Armenian National Committee of Greater Washington
(ANC-GW) and the Armenian Youth Federation Washington Chapter,
the protest attracted over 1,000 activists to the Turkish Embassy,
as Armenians worldwide marked the 91st anniversary of this crime
against humanity. Among the participants was DC United star player
Alecko Eskandarian, who was MLS Cup Champion and MVP in 2004.

Tankian and Dolmayan are in Washington, DC as part of a three-day
advocacy tour in support of Congressional recognition of the Armenian
Genocide.

Following participation in the rally on Monday, the band members will
be meeting with Members of Congress and the media urging passage
of legislation in the Senate and House that would recognize the
Armenian Genocide. On Tuesday evening, Tankian and Dolmayan will host
a screening of excerpts of “Screamers,” a powerful film by Carla
Garapedian about System of a Down’s international anti-genocide
advocacy efforts.

On Wednesday evening, they will be honored for their vocal pursuit
of justice for the Armenian Genocide at the annual Armenian Genocide
observance on Capitol Hill.

The inter-generational “Rally for Justice” brought together young
and old in their call for the Turkish Government to end its campaign
of Genocide denial. Activists were met by a smaller group of Turkish
and Azerbaijani counter-protesters, who were apparently organized by
the Turkish Embassy staff and its paid lobbyists.

Following the demonstration, attendees walked to the Embassy
of the Republic of Armenia for a short service and wreath-laying
ceremony. Members of local Armenian organizations placed wreaths and
flowers in front of the Khatchkar (stone cross).

The ceremony was led by Ambassador Tatoul Markarian and featured
remarks by Nagorno Karabagh representative Vardan Barseghyan, and
the participation of the Washington Homenetmen Armenian Scouting troop.