Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 N. Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, CA 91204
Tel: 818 500 1918
Fax: 818 246 7353
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
December 22, 2006
Contact: Lerna Kayserian
Tel: 818 500 1918
ANCA-WR, Rep. Brad Sherman and SCREAMERS Director Carla Garapedian
Call For Action To End Cycle of Genocide
Variety Magazine’s Use of terminology "so-called Armenian Genocide"
Blasted by Congressman and Community Leaders
ENCINO, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region (ANCA-WR), Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) and "SCREAMERS" film
director Carla Garapedian called for action to end the cycle of
genocide from the Armenian Genocide of 1915 to the Genocide going
on in Darfur today. They also condemned Variety Magazine, which
covers the movie industry, for supporting the Government of
Turkey’s on-going Armenian Genocide denial by casting doubt upon
the historical facts of the Genocide.
Rep. Sherman spoke of the pressing need to stop the on-going
genocide in Darfur in order to break the cycle of genocide that has
been plaguing our world over the last century. The Congressman,
who will be spearheading efforts on an Armenian Genocide resolution
in the House of Representatives next year, noted why the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide is essential if the world is
to end the global cycle of genocide. He said it was "Hitler who
proclaimed, who today remembers the Armenians?" In answer to
Variety Magazine casting doubt upon the historical facts of the
Armenian Genocide with their use of the terminology "so-called
Armenian Genocide," he ridiculed the publication by saying that
there are also people who still believe O.J. Simpson is innocent.
The call to action was made at a press conference organized by the
ANCA-WR outside the Laemmle Theatre in Encino, California, where
the new documentary movie SCREAMERS will begin showing on December
22nd. The movie provides a comprehensive examination of how
genocide was first used by Turkey as a state policy in 1915 in
order to kill 1.5 million Armenian citizens which Hitler later used
as a blueprint for the Holocaust. Since then genocide has been
repeated in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and now Darfur. The film
looks at the issue through the eyes and music of the Grammy award-
winning rock band System of a Down, based in Los Angeles, whose
members are all grandchildren of Genocide survivors. Covering the
press conference were various members of the media including FOX
News, regional media outlets and Armenian community media.
"Genocide recognition should never be a currency for better
economic relations or more arms deals with other nations," stated
Carla Garapedian, director of SCREAMERS. She emphasized that by
seeing SCREAMERS, people will send a clear message to the whole
nation that this is an issue that they care about and that genocide
in our time can and must be stopped.
Nishan Bostanian, spokesperson for the San Fernando Valley ANC,
thanked Rep. Brad Sherman for his leadership role in fighting for
justice for the martyrs and survivors of the Armenian Genocide and
his role in helping bring attention to the genocide taking place in
Darfur. Bostanian stated that when the 110th Congress convenes in
January of 2007 the San Fernando Valley ANC looked forward to
working closely with Rep. Sherman in his efforts with Speaker
Pelosi and other key members of Congress to pass a resolution on
the Armenian Genocide.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest
and most influential Armenian American grassroots political
organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the
concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.
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PHOTO CAPTION: Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) with SCREAMERS Director
Carla Garapedian and ANCA San Fernando Valley Chairman Nishan
Bostanian.