Armenian National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts
47 Nichols Avenue
Watertown MA 02472
617-926-1890
ancem@hotmail.com

Press Release
April 24, 2006

ANCEM Thanks Watertown Police Department for Investigating
the Damage Upon Armenian Genocide Billboard

Watertown, MA – In a letter to Watertown Police Chief Edward Deveau, the
Armenian National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts (ANCEM) thanked the
Watertown police department for investigating the damage caused to an
Armenian Genocide billboard on Arsenal Street in Watertown.

Upon learning of the damage caused to one of the Armenian Genocide
billboards, the ANCEM notified the police department and asked them look
into the damage.

The police department, led by Chief Deveau, investigated the damage, which
received media coverage from the local TV news.

The damage came right at the time when Armenians worldwide, including those
in the Watertown area, were commemorating the 91st anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish Government.

The ANCEM encouraged the authorities to investigate the damage so as to
ensure that the acts were not the result of prejudice which can grow and
lead to the kind of horrific intolerance of which history has seen all too
much.

The police department concluded that the damage was most likely caused by
weathering which was a comfort to the Armenian American community and all
Watertown residents.

`We thank the Watertown police department for its attention to this serious
matter, stated Sharistan Melkonian of the ANCEM. `We remain concerned with
any possibility of intolerance in any form and greatly appreciate the
seriousness with which the police department engaged in its investigation. ‘

Peace of Art sponsors the Armenian Genocide billboards each April.

The Armenian National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts is a grassroots
public affairs organization serving to inform, educate, and act on a wide
range of issues concerning Armenian Americans throughout the state of
Massachusetts.

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