FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 27, 2009
Armenian National Committee of Central MA
Contact: George Aghjayan
Tel: 917-428-1918
HUMAN RIGHTS LEADER: CONGRESSMAN JAMES MCGOVERN
ARRESTED OUTSIDE OF SUDANESE EMBASSY
Washington, DC- Rep. James McGovern (D-MA-3), in protest over the
expulsion of humanitarian aide missions from Darfur, today was
arrested at the Embassy of Sudan, reported the Armenian National
Committee of Central Massachusetts.
In 2006, Rep. McGovern, following a similar act of civil
disobedience, noted that "Words are no longer enough. It is time
for action. This is the first genocide of the 21st century. The
world has said, ‘Never again.’ Those words must mean something."
Rep. McGovern, along with at least four other representatives
including John Lewis (D-GA), Donna Edwards (D-MD), Keith Ellison
(D-MN) and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA)-and Darfur activist leaders were
arrested.
The Armenian National Committee of Central Massachusetts (ANC-CM)
fully supports Rep. McGovern’s principled actions to draw attention
to the continuing genocide in Darfur. George Aghjayan, chairman of
the ANC-CM, stated, "Congressman McGovern consistently and
persistently fights for human rights and its place in U.S. foreign
policy. We are proud and thankful to have him represent our
district."
The ANC CM met with Rep. McGovern on Wednesday, April 22, 2009,
accompanied by Armenian Genocide survivor Mrs. Alice Khachadoorian
Shnorhokian. Last week, Rep. McGovern sent a personal appeal to
President Barack Obama urging the proper recognition of the
Armenian Genocide by the White House. In his powerful remarks, he
commented "When is the right time? When the last survivor, the last
witness, is no longer with us?"
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Photo Caption: Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA-3) with Armenian Genocide
survivor Alice Khachadoorian Shnorhokian in Washington, DC.