PRESS RELEASE
Date: November 28, 2007
Armenian Youth Federation, Eastern, US
80 Bigelow, Watertown, MA 02472
Contact: Anthony Deese
Tel: 267-249-1232
HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS THROUGHOUT THE NATION TO RALLY GENOCIDE
DENIER ROBERT WEXLER IN SOUTH FLORIDA
Boca Raton, FL- In anticipation of the 2008 election race against
genocide denier Cong. Robert Wexler (D-FL-19), the Armenian Youth
Federation, Eastern Region, US is teaming up with other human
rights group to organize a rally in Wexler’s District on January
12th, 2008, voicing their dismay with Congressman’s Wexler’s refusal
to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
"It is disappointing that the moral justice of genocide recognition
is faced with ongoing denial through efforts like Congressman
Wexler. This matter is a black and white issue regardless of when
and where it was committed," commented James Kzirian, AYF Eastern
Region Central Executive Chairman.
The rally is in response to the growing sentiment of genocide
denial by Cong. Wexler in Florida’s 19th Congressional district and
in support of Congressional candidate Dr. Benjamin Graber, who has
called upon Cong. Wexler to formally recognize the Armenian
Genocide. "The American people can not and should not allow any
state that commits genocide to erase it from history, otherwise we
will be setting the course for it to happen again," commented
Graber earlier this year at a function hosted by the Armenian
National Committee of S. Florida. "Their horrific experience opened
the door to the Jewish Holocaust and other genocides of that
century," stated Graber. Dr. Graber is expected to be present and
speak at the rally.
Cong. Wexler is the Co-Chair of Turkish Caucus and for years has
opposed legislation pertaining to properly recognizing the Armenian
Genocide. Cong. Wexler has twice voted against Armenian Genocide
resolutions in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, voicing his
concerns about H. Res. 316 in 2005 and H. Res. 106 in 2007.
In late October, the AYF Providence Varantian Chapter protested
Cong. Wexler during his visit and lecture at Brown University.
"This is an issue that is not going to go away for those that deny
genocide, especially those members in Congress who are on the wrong
side of this issue," commented Providence AYF member Melissa
Danielian.
The rally, which is to take place on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at
3:30 pm, is expected to attract human rights activists from
throughout the country. Current co-hosts include the Armenian
National Committee of South Florida (ANC of S. FL) and the Cyprus
Action Network of America (CANA). Exact location and bus
information will be announced in the coming weeks and will be
available by going to For more information please e-
mail the AYF Central Hai Tahd Council at chtc@ayf.org.
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