Momentum Builds For ANCA Advocacy Day In Sacramento And State Capitol
Genocide Commemoration
By Asbarez
Mar 19th, 2010
LOS ANGELES – Activists from across the Golden State will join the
Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region for Advocacy
Day and the Armenian Genocide Commemorations in the California State
Legislature. The Legislature floor commemorations and the Advocacy Day
will take place on Thursday, April 15, 2010 in Sacramento and will be
part of a series of commemorative activities slated for the 95th
Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.
As we continue to work toward the recognition of the Armenian Genocide
nationally and internationally, it is important to focus our attention
closer to home, where the leaders in our State Capitol have, year
after year, honored the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide,’ stated
Karnig Dukmajian, ANCA-WR State Affairs Committee Member. `Our
presence in Sacramento is vital, particularly in the face of the
increased Turkish lobby in California,’ he added.
Both chambers of the California Legislature will hold commemorations
for the Armenian Genocide during floor sessions. The commemoration
ceremony will include the introduction of a resolution honoring the
victims of the Armenian Genocide as well as an invocation from
Armenian clergy and a flag procession and pledge of allegiance led by
the Homenetmen Scouts. A reception, hosted by Senator Joe Simitian and
Assembly Members Anthony Portantino and Kevin de Leon, will follow the
floor commemoration.
Assemblymembers Anthony Portantino and Kevin de Leon will host the
iWitness photo exhibit in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building. The
photo exhibit is a photographic project that began in 1995, when
artists Ara Oshagan and Levon Parian began documenting survivors of
the Armenian Genocide. The iWitness photo exhibit will be displayed at
the State Capitol on second floor Rotunda on April 15th and also April
19th through April 30th of this year.
`The iWitness photo exhibit will be especially poignant this year, as
we approach the 95th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Many of the
survivors that were photographed are no longer with us today.’ stated
ANCA-WR Government Relations Director Lerna Shirinian. `With the
passing of House Resolution 252 in the House Foreign Affairs
Committee, it is important that activists travel to Sacramento to
raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide and fight to end the cycle of
genocide,’ she added.
During Advocacy Day, Armenian Americans and anti-genocide advocates
will help raise awareness among California legislators regarding the
history of the Armenian Genocide, the present-day consequences of this
crime against humanity and other issues of concern to the Armenian
American community. For further information please contact Haig
Hovsepian at [email protected] or Lerna Shirinian at [email protected].