Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
August 11, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
TURKISH GROUP PRESSURES GOOGLE TO BECOME COMPLICIT IN GENOCIDE
DENIAL
— Launches Online Campaign to Reinstate Google Ads Misinformation
Campaign
WASHINGTON, DC – The Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) today
launched an online campaign to pressure internet giant Google into
complicity in its denial of the Armenian Genocide, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The move comes in response to Google’s recent decision to stand by
its "Don’t be Evil" motto by stopping advertisements, placed by the
TCA, which drove internet traffic to websites denying the Armenian
Genocide. The TCA’s earlier Google Ads were triggered with search
entries including "Armenia", "Armenian", "Armenian Genocide" and
led to the Turkish Coalition of America website which includes
revisionist materials denying the centrally planned and
systematically carried out campaign of extermination of 1.5 million
Armenians by the Ottoman Turkish Government from 1915-1923. The
group also advocates against passage of Congressional legislation,
H.Res.252, recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
"The Turkish Coalition of America’s efforts to strong-arm Google to
join their Armenian Genocide denial campaign is as misguided as
their broader efforts to cover-up this crime against humanity,"
said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We commend Google
for reviewing its ad policy and respecting its ‘Don’t be Evil’
motto by turning down ads advocating hate and lies."
Google reviewed its policy on running Armenian Genocide denial ads
in June, 2009, after receiving thousands of letters from concerned
Armenian Americans and human rights activists expressing outrage at
the ads. An ANCA Action Alert distributed on May 28th explained
that "These ads are misleading to Google patrons, profoundly
offensive to victims and survivors of all genocides, and contribute
to an environment of outright denial and impunity in the face of
mass atrocities that continues to fuel the cycle of genocide to
this very day." A Facebook Causes page, titled "Stop Turkey’s
Anti-Armenian Genocide Propaganda on Google AdWords!" has over 9100
members.
The ANCA has posted an alert urging activists to contact Google in
support of their policy against genocide denial. To take action,
visit: 3868481&type=CU