ANC of New York
NY Hyortik AYF Chapter
69-23 47th Ave.
Woodside, NY 11377
(718) 651-1530
Jaunuary 28, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
AYF, ANC of New York Remember Hrant Dink and Continue His Voice
NEW YORK – On January 19, 2008, Hrant Dink’s name and voice echoed throughout
New York’s Union Square. Marking the one year anniversary of the
journalist’s death, members of the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of New
York and the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Hyortik chapter organized
activists to pass out flyers and hold posters, calling for the world to end
its tolerance for genocide and human rights violations.
Activists, representing a diverse cross-section of New York City’s student
and youth communities, were posted in groups around the square. Each person
passed out flyers and spoke to passers-by about Dink’s desire to end hatred
with education and knowledge. The flyer encouraged people to continue his
work by visiting As an ANC imitative, the project
is a site where visitors can access curriculum, materials, and resources to
give to educators to teach about genocide and human rights.
Finally all activists gathered at the top of the square where they stood
holding posters asr a silent vigil in memory of Dink. Many stopped to
examine the posters that read "We Are All Hrant Dink," "Remember Hrant
Dink," "We Demand Justice," and "1915 – Never Again."
"The event was the only such public effort in the area that day
commemorating Dink’s death. It was very effective and we did not want to
miss it; this was evident by the many that participated even in the
blistering cold," said activist Sofia Arakelian, "Further, I was glad that
the people who passed by approached us and asked questions. I felt good
showing people that we take to the streets about all our issues, not just on
April 24. I am sure that the next time these people hear the name Hrant Dink
they will remember him. It’s all about spreading the message," she said.
The following day, the NY AYF requested a *hokihankisd* at the St.
Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic Church on 27th Street. Later, AYF and ANC
activists joined the New York community in remembering Dink at a
commemoration program presented by local area organizations. The event took
place at the Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium and featured keynote
speaker *Screamers* director Carla Garapedian. As part of the program, the
NY AYF participated in the Hamazkayin-prepared portion, to read parts of
Dink’s 2005 interview with the Turkish Radikal newspaper. Following the
program, AYFers lead activist in distributing flyers about Dink and the
controversy surrounding his death to all attendees.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
