69-23 47th Ave.

Woodside, NY 11377
(718) 651-1530
April 29, 2008
For Immediate Release

New York AYF Commemorates April 24 with Month-Long Activities

NEW YORK – April as a month of remembrance and a call to action was the theme
for the New York Hyortiks this year as they approached Armenian Genocide
commemorations. The chapter organized various activities and carried out
several projects throughout April to lead the community in a continuous
remembrance.

Early in April the chapter’s educational committee organized two
consecutive screenings of movies with Armenian Genocide-related
themes. On April 13 the Hyortiks showed *Back to Ararat* at St. Sarkis
Armenian Apostolic Church after services. The following week on April
20 they showed *Genocide in Me*to an audience at St. Illuminator’s
Armenian Apostolic Cathedral. Community members were engaged with the
films and issues they brought up regarding Genocide recognition,
different ways of commemorating, and the concept of "never
forgetting."

In conjunction with the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of New York
the Hyortiks also put together general "April is Genocide Remembrance
Month" posters that gave a brief description of the Genocide and why
certain businesses might be closed on April 24. The posters – that
were hung outside local Armenian churches and a few Armenian
businesses in Manhattan – targeted those passing by the buildings,
educating them on this issue.

On the day of April 24 members hit the streets and passed out flyers in
Manhattan’s jewelry district. The flyers called for the United States to
"end the gag rule," referring to Turkish pressure on the US when it comes to
the Armenian Genocide. In the afternoon some members attended a
commemorative service and lunch at St. Vartan Cathedral in Manhattan.
Finally that evening, the chapter helped set the solemn mood for a memorial
service at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church. Members decorated the
stairs leading up to the church with small candles and posters remembering
the Genocide. After the service junior and senior members led attendees in
singing "Adanayin Voghpuh."

The following evening the Hyortiks volunteered at the welcome table of the
annual City Hall Event sponsored by the ANC of New York. As in years past
the chapter presented a speech on behalf of the organization during the
program. This year’s comments highlighted the theme of freedom and human
rights. Presented by Hyortik executive member Maria Nercessian, the speech
discussed freedom as an essential component of humanity. "Nintey-three years
ago, Armenian citizens of the Ottoman Empire had all of their freedoms taken
away, the freedom to laugh, to sing, to think, and to live freely as
Armenians. What makes these individuals different from those suffering here
and now and to those, for example, in Darfur who are constantly enduring
such pain on a daily basis? Nothing. We are all humans," said Nercessian.
She ended her presentation with remarks in Armenian, quoting from Mikael
Nalbantian’s poem "Yerk Azadoutyan" that touched upon the human desire for
freedom.

On April 26 the AYF Central Hai Tahd Council led many in the region on the
March for Justice. Drawing in people from New York, New Jersey, Boston,
Providence, and Philadelphia, the march led the group from St. Illuminator’s
Armenian Apostolic Cathedral to the UN xx Plaza where they rallied for
justice for the Armenian Genocide. That day New York AYFers came out early
to help set up for the event, run the technical aspect and support CHTC’s
leadership on the protest. Flyer-ing the community weeks before the event,
the Hyortiks brought out local community members to the march. Staying until
the very end to clean up, New York’s AYFers helped CHTC pack up and return
to the Armenian Center in Woodside, N.Y.

Finally the Hyortiks participated in an Armenian youth and student movement
to help out at the annual Times Square Rally as an organized and unified
body. Together with youth from various local organizations, AYF members
assisted at the event by passing out t-shirts; bringing and handing out
placards to attendees; distributing booklets to passers-by; and cleaning up
at the end. After the event the Hyortiks joined fellow youth at a small
gathering held at St. Vartan Cathedral where they mingled and discussed
various issues in the Armenian community.

"I think it was important for the Hyortiks to host and participate in
Genocide commemoration events throughout the month of April in order to show
the world that all Armenian youth have not forgotten our martyrs, our Cause.
We will keep protesting and marching until Turkey admits the crimes it has
committed against our ancestors," said Hyortik member Arousiag Markarian. **

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

CityHallHyortiks: Some New York AYF members with ANC Eastern Region Director
Karine Birazian at the annual City Hall Commemoration sponsored by the ANC
of New York

March for Justice1: On April 26, New York AYFers came out early to help set
up and helped out all day for the March for Justice held by the AYF Central
Hai Tahd Council

St Sarkis Candle Lighting: New York AYF members decorated the stairs leading
up to the St. Sarkis Armenian Church with small candles and posters
remembering the Armenian Genocide

Times Square AYF: Together with youth from various local organizations, AYF
members assisted at the annual Times Square Rally by passing out t-shirts;
bringing and handing out placards to attendees; distributing booklets to
passers-by; and cleaning up at the end