ELECTED OFFICIALS CALL FOR END TO TURKEY’S GAG RULE DURING GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION EVENT
By Asbarez
Apr 26th, 2010
State Assembly Majority Leader Charles Calderon, CA Congressman Adam
Schiff, and LA Mayor Antonio Villeragosa. Photo by Nora Yacoubian.
MONTEBELLO, CA-Thousands of Armenian Americans throughout Southern
California gathered at the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument in
Montebello on April 24th to commemorate the 95th Anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide. The commemoration was organized by the Armenian
Genocide United Commemorative Committee and attended by dozens of
elected officials, clergy, and community leaders.
Delivering remarks during the commemoration were Congressman Adam
Schiff (D-21), State Assembly Majority Leader Charles Calderon (D-58),
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and LA City Councilmember
Paul Krekorian. Representatives from the offices of Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger and Senator Barbara Boxer were also in attendance.
Congressman Schiff (D-21), as the author of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution – H. Res. 252 – in Congress, called for an end to Turkey’s
gag rule. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Councilmember
Paul Krekorian also addressed the crowd – calling on Turkey to end
its 95 years of shameful denial of the Armenian Genocide.
During his remarks, State Assembly Majority Leader Charles Calderon
(D-58) announced the passage of ACR 148 in the California State
Legislature. The passage of ACR 148, which calls on the Department
of Transportation to erect information signs on Highway 60 in Los
Angeles County directing motorists to the Armenian Genocide Martyrs
Monument, was an especially significant announcement on April 24th,
as it highlights the Monument as a beacon of awareness for crimes
against humanity. The Montebello Armenian Genocide Martyr’s Monument,
the first to be built honoring the victims of the Armenian Genocide
on public land, has served as the gathering ground for thousands of
Armenians in the Los Angeles area to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.