PanArmenian, Armenia
April 18 2009

AYF to rally in memory of Armenian Genocide victims

18.04.2009 12:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ With a week left to the annual day of commemoration
for the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) and the
ARF Shant Student Association (SSA) are once again joining to organize
an annual youth rally to unite and ignite the community around the
memory of its martyred ancestors and their longing for freedom, the
AYF press office told PanARMENIAN.Net.

The rally will take place on Sunday April 19 at 6pm at the Pasadena
Armenian Center on 740 E. Washington Blvd. Pasadena CA.

The keynote speaker of the evening will be California State
Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who has been a long time supporter of
the Armenian community and works closely with the Armenian National
Committee in Pasadena. The Rally will also feature musical
performances from local artists, as well as speeches by various
community and student group leaders. The Youth Rally is free of charge
and open to the public.

`The evening’s goal is to raise awareness of the injustices that exist
in the world, focusing on the first genocide of the 20th century, the
Armenian Genocide,’ said Armen Aboulian, the chairman of the SSA. `We
use this opportunity and this date not only as a day to renew our
struggle for justice, but also as a day to take a solid stance in
investing in the future of the Armenian people.’

`We are true believers that the only way to predict our future, is to
make it ourselves,’ he added. `In looking at our past and considering
what our forefathers have endured, we feel a responsibility, almost an
obligation to make our future in such a way that makes the dreams of
the Armenian people come true.’