Statement of Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa on Assassination of Dink

ANTONIO R. VILLARAIGOSA
Mayor
City of Los Angeles
200 N. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 978-0600

PRESS RELEASE
January 19, 2007

Contact: Matt Szabo
213-978-0741
[email protected]

STATEMENT OF MAYOR ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA ON THE ASSASSINATION OF HRANT DINK

Los Angeles – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa made the following statement
today regarding the assassination of Hrant Dink:

"The People of Los Angeles stand in solidarity today with people
around the world in mourning the death of Hrant Dink, the editor of
Agos Armenian Daily newspaper in Turkey. Our thoughts and prayers go
out to Mr. Dink’s family as they mourn the loss of a husband and
father whose life was tragically and barbarically cut short.

"The assassination of Mr. Dink is not only an attack on the Armenian
community of Turkey; it is an assault on freedom of speech, truth, and
justice everywhere. Mr. Dink spoke frankly and courageously about the
history of the Armenian Genocide, and he stood up unflinchingly for
the best traditions of his profession. His passion and bravery stand
as challenge to us all.

"We join with the international community in condemning this brutal
attack, and we hope that the perpetrators of this crime are brought to
justice swiftly and fairly."

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS