Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email.anca@anca.org
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
May 2, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANTI-GENOCIDE ACTIVISTS CALL FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION;
IMMEDIATE ACTION ON DARFUR GENOCIDE DURING CAPITOL HILL ADVOCACY
DAYS
— ANCA and Genocide Intervention Network Team up for Third
"End the Cycle of Genocide" Grassroots Outreach Campaign
Washington, DC – Over 100 anti-genocide activists from across the
nation joined the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and
the Genocide Intervention Network (GI-Net) for the third annual
"End the Cycle of Genocide" campaign held in Washington, DC from
April 22nd through 24th.
The three-day program put community human rights advocates directly
in touch with over 400 Congressional offices in support of
practical legislative initiatives to stop the genocide in Darfur
and end Turkey’s ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide.
"Once again, ANCA and GI-Net activists brought the crucial message
of genocide recognition and prevention directly to the halls of
Congress – stressing that genocide must be condemned whenever and
wherever it occurs," commented ANCA Eastern Region Executive
Director Karine Birazian. "With Pres. Obama’s decision to break his
pledge to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide, our nationwide
campaign to ensure America speaks with unstinting resolve against
genocide takes even greater meaning."
Birazian teamed up with her Washington DC and Western U.S.
counterparts and activists from states including, California,
Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New
York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Virginia,
distributing informational folders on the Armenian Genocide and the
genocide taking place in Darfur, and highlighting legislation
pertaining to these matters. Activists urged passage of the
Armenian Genocide resolution (H.Res.252) and support for a $50
million allocation for Darfur peacekeeping efforts in the 2009
Supplemental Appropriations bill.
In the days following the ANCA/GI-Net Capitol Hill advocacy
campaign, support for the Armenian Genocide resolution increased to
116 cosponsors, with the addition of Representatives Robert Andrews
(D-NJ), Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Joe
Courtney (D-CT), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Sam Farr (D-CA), Steny Hoyer
(D-MD), Dale Kildee (D-MI), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Carolyn McCarthy (D-
NY), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Walter Minnick (D-ID), Charles Rangel
(D-NY), Thomas Perriello (D-VA), and John Salazar (D-CO).
"Capitol Hill advocacy days bring together activists of all ages –
some who have walked the halls of Congress for many years and
others for whom this is a new experience – all for the cause of
genocide recognition and prevention," said Glendale, CA ANCA
activist Elen Asatryan. "This interaction – between activists and
Members of Congress and staff – speaks to the fundamental role of
citizen advocacy in the shaping of U.S. policy on genocide and a
broad range of human rights concerns."
Those in attendance took part in the April 22nd Capitol Hill
Armenian Genocide commemorative program, organized by the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. The program included
remarks by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
(D-MD), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-
NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) as well as Armenian Genocide Resolution
lead sponsors Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rep. George Radanovich
(R-CA), House Members of Armenian descent Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and
Jackie Speier (D-CA), as well as Reps. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI),
Jim McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV)
and Tim Walz (D-MN).
Members in attendance at the Observance also included Sen. Jack
Reed (D-RI), and Reps. Jim Costa (D-CA), David Dreier (R-CA), Bob
Filner (D-CA), Jim Gerlach (R-PA), Martin Heinrich (D-MN), Rush
Holt (D-NJ), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), James Langevin (D-RI), Richard
Neal (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Ed Royce (R-CA), and Diane Watson
(D-CA).
On April 24th, activists joined with the Greater Washington DC area
Armenian Youth Federation in protesting Turkey’s ongoing denial of
the Armenian Genocide at a demonstration in front of the Turkish
Embassy.
Photos from Advocacy Days are posted at:
< eleases.php?prid=1711> _releases/press_releases.php?prid=1711
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Edit or: Please email
<mailto:elizabeth@anca.org>elizabeth@anca.o rg for print quality photos.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress