Armenian National Committee — Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, January 5, 2007
Contact: Lerna Kayserian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
Members of Congress and California State Legislators Fully Support AYF
Fast To Focus National Attention on the Armenian Genocide
-Rally on Saturday, January 6th — Armenian Christmas — Will Raise
Pressure on Turkey to End Policy of Denial
Los Angeles, CA — California Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) and
California State Legislators Paul Krekorian, Lloyd Levine and Anthony
Portantino are among a growing number of elected officials standing in
solidarity with Armenian Youth Federation members fasting in front of
the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles. The fasters, who have not eaten
since January 2nd, are working to bring national attention to the
continued denial of the Armenian Genocide and the ongoing genocide in
Darfur.
Those fasting will be joined by hundreds of supporters at a rally
slated for 5:00 p.m. this Saturday at the Turkish Consulate located at
6300 Wilshire Boulevard. Earlier on Saturday, State Assembly member
Paul Krekorian will join those fasting and Armenian Genocide survivor
Ghazaros Kademian at a press conference to draw media attention to the
aim of ending the global cycle of genocide. All Armenian Americans and
human rights supporters are encouraged to attend the 5:00 p.m. rally on
Saturday in support of those fasting.
Congressman Adam Schiff released the following statement in support of
the AYF action. "I stand with the Armenian Youth Federation and
the United Human Rights Council’s efforts to raise awareness of the
Armenian Genocide through a fast in front of the Los Angeles Turkish
Consulate. Turkey must acknowledge the genocide committed by the
Ottoman Empire nine decades ago. We as a nation must also acknowledge
the Armenian Genocide and I will soon introduce a resolution in the
House that will honor the victims and put the Congress on the record. I
am hopeful that with new leadership in Congress we can finally get it
passed."
"I am proud to support the Armenian Youth Federation and the
United Human Rights Council’s efforts to raise awareness of the
Armenian Genocide through a fast in front of the Los Angeles Turkish
Consulate," stated Assembly member Lloyd Levine. "Turkey must
acknowledge the genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire nine decades
ago, and it is of the utmost importance that we as a people do all we
can to educate others about the Armenian Genocide, and all genocides.
That is why, this past session, I was honored to author legislation
creating a California International Genocide Memorial in Sacramento. We
must remind people of the atrocities that have occurred in our nation’s
history so they will never be repeated."
State Assembly member Anthony Portantino issued the following statement
of solidarity with those AYF and UHRC members fasting: "It is
important that we not only condemn the genocides of the twenty first
century, but also to support the recognition of the first genocide on
the twentieth century. I applaud the members of the Armenian Youth for
focusing attention on these important issues."
The Armenian Youth Federation and the United Human Rights Council
launched the "Fast for Remembrance" this week in front of the
Turkish Consulate to raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide and
the ongoing Genocide in Darfur. The fast began on January 2, 2007 with
19 youth fasting for justice and comes to a symbolic end on January 6,
2007 — Armenian Christmas. The rally will bring the five-day (120
hour) fast to a close.
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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
