Armenian National Committee of San Diego County
La Jolla, California 92092

PRESS RELEASE
April 25, 2010
Contact: Loosi Azarian

ANC SAN DIEGO RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT GENOCIDE AT UCSD

LA JOLLA, CA—Armenian Americans from San Diego County (ANC SDC)
commemorated the 95th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with a week-long
series of events beginning on April 19th. ANC San Diego County executive
committee members and activists actively participated in and helped organize
the commemoration events.

On April 19, 2010, the ANC SDC attended an event sponsored by The Holocaust
Living History Workshop at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD).
The event, "From Racism to Genocide: Towards a Hate-Free Campus," addressed
the Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust and their effect on society. The
Armenian student organizations at UCSD were also co-sponsors of the event.

On April 23, 2010, the ANC SDC, along with several Armenian community
organizations through San Diego, hosted a community-wide commemoration of
the Armenian Genocide at UCSD’s Great Hall. The event featured remarks by
renowned attorney Mark Geragos, UCSD Professor Gershon Shafir, a
representative from the office of Congressman Bob Filner, and UCSD Alumnus
Nick Vartanian. Following the program, Father Datev Tatoulian of the St.
John Garabed Armenian Church in San Diego led a solemn candlelight vigil
with all those in attendance.

Throughout the week the Armenian Student’s Association, Alpha Gamma Alpha,
and Alpha Epsilon Omega, the ANC urged the campus community to advocate for
recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

In addition to crosses which lined the lawns reminding passersby of the 1.5
million victims of the genocide in 1915 and the years that followed, Camp
Darfur, an interactive display of tents dedicated to five of the genocides
of the 20th century, educated passerby of the history of atrocities and the
ongoing cycle of genocide. Joining Armenian students and the ANC at UCSD
were Alpha Epsilon Pi, a Jewish fraternity, and the Cambodian Student
Association.

A black canvas was set up for people to leave their painted handprints in
order for everyone to have a symbolic hand in the commemoration events. But
students also directed individuals to the Armenian National Committee of
America’s website to learn more about the Armenian Genocide and to take
action on the spot by sending a webfax to their member of Congress on the
issue.

"It is very important that we work with the campus community and through the
various student organizations to educate the public about the Armenian
Genocide," noted ANC SDC Chairwoman Nare Kupelian. "Promoting understanding
and recognition is best achieved through such collaborative efforts."

The Armenian National Committee of San Diego County advances the social,
economic, cultural, and political rights of the area’s Armenian
American community and promotes increased Armenian American civic
participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.