Armenian National Committee of the San Francisco Bay Area
51 Commonwealth Avenue
San Francisco, California 94118
Web:
E-Mail: [email protected]
Tel: (415) 387-3433
PRESS RELEASE
April 28, 2010
Contact: Matt Senekeremian
Tel: (415) 387-3433
WALK FOR REMEMBRANCE AND FILM SCREENING HIGHLIGHT SF COMMEMORATIONS
Mayor Newsom calls on President and Congress to recognize Armenian Genocide
SAN FRANCISCO, CA—The Bay Area Armenian Community rallied together on
April 24th to commemorate the 95th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and
expressed its outrage regarding President Obama’s statement which refrained
from using the term genocide. A walkathon and commemoration ceremony were
hosted by the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Northern
California, which encompasses all Armenian organizations including the
Armenian National Committee of the San Francisco Bay Area (ANC SF Bay Area)
and the Armenian Youth Federation "Rosdom" San Francisco Chapter. The
following Tuesday, the ANC SF Bay Area hosted a screening of the genocide
documentary film, "The River Ran Red".
The first event of the day was the "Walk for Remembrance" walkathon across
the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. More than 800 participants, some from as far
east as Sacramento and as far south as Monterey, came out to help raise
awareness about the Armenian Genocide. The event commenced on the San
Francisco side of the bridge with prayers offered by San Francisco Bay area
clergy and culminated on the Marin County side of the bridge. Joining
community activists for the walk across the bridge were several special
guests including Armenian National Committee of America Executive Director
Aram Hamparian as well as members of the Darfur Coalition, Members of the
Rwandan community, and a Holocaust survivor.
Later that day, the community gathered at Saint Ignatius Church in San
Francisco for a commemorative event featuring several local public officials
including San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, California Assembly Member Tom
Torlakson, California State Senator Joe Simitian, and US Representative
Jackie Speier.
In the opening remarks of the evening, Mayor Newsom thanked the elected
community of San Francisco support on the issue and noted that he was "glad
to be Mayor of a city that stands on the side of truth, justice, and human
rights. It is time for the President and Congress to do the right thing and
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide."
Congresswoman Speier recalled her childhood upbringing noting how her
mother’s constant reminders about her Armenian heritage inspire her to
remain committed to the Armenian community promised those gathered that "I
will continue to fight for just recognition of the Armenian Genocide."
Senator Simitian spoke about the importance of recognition while Assembly
Member Torlakson reiterated his commitment to work with the Armenian
National Committee and presented a proclamation congratulating the efforts
of the event organizers.
Delivering the keynote address for the evening, Hamparian discussed the
importance of recognition and justice. Pointing to past precedent and the
contribution of ongoing denial to the continuing cycle of genocide,
Hamparian reminded those in attendance that the just pursuit of this issue
is not only in the interests of the Armenian community, but America as a
whole and even the voices of truth in Turkey that remain repressed by their
own government today.
As part of the evening’s program, students from the KZV Armenian School in
San Francisco performed two musical pieces and a poem in honor of the
victims of the Armenian Genocide.
On April 27th the ANC SF Bay Area also hosted a screening of the
documentary, "The River Ran Red" with film director Dr. J. Michael Hagopian.
The film, the final installment of the "Witness" trilogy, was screened at
the San Francisco Public Library. Over 150 people attended the event which
was followed by a lively question and answer session with Hagopian.
The Armenian National Committee of the San Francisco Bay Area 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.