BLUE CROSS TO DISCUSS SUPPORT OF NO PLACE FOR HATE TONIGHT
by David Dahl, Regional Editor
Boston Globe
September 23, 2008 08:04 AM
United States
Watertown
The battle over the local Anti-Defamation League and its No Place
for Hate program returns to the Watertown Town Council tonight.
Last month, the council sent a letter to Blue Cross executives
requesting the face-to-face meeting and urging the healthcare
insurance company to withdraw its support in light of the ongoing
controversy between Armenian-Americans and the ADL over recognition
of the Armenian genocide.
During the session, representatives from Blue Cross and Blue Shield
of Massachusetts are expected to talk about the company’s financial
support for the Anti-Defamation League’s No Place For Hate program.
The meeting starts at 7:15. Expecting a larger-than-normal turnout
this week, the Town Council will move its meeting from Town Hall to
the Watertown Middle School auditorium, 68 Waverley Avenue.
According to the town website, the agenda item is a "Resolution
requesting Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA to sever ties with the
Anti-Defamation League and No Place For Hate." It was filed by
Councilors Stephen Corbett, Marilyn Petitto Devaney and Mark Sideris.
The Armenian Spectator reported that the resolution reads: "Whereas:
Taxpayers pay the major share of the premiums for the many Town
employees who have Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance; and, Whereas:
The Council believes that taxpayer funds which are directed to Blue
Cross/Blue Shield should not be spent on a program affiliated with an
organization which diminishes the factuality of, and works against
recognition of, a widely acknowledged genocide. Now Therefore Be It
Resolved: The City known as the Town of Watertown hereby asks BC/BSMA
to expeditiously sever ties with NPFH and similar ADL programs; and
that the Council shall send to BC/BSMA chif executives and members
of the Board of Directors a letter with this Resolution, that asks
for such severance and requests a prompt and positive response;
and the council shall take due notice, make public, and discuss
BSBCMA’s response."