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Rep. Adam Schiff Expresses Support for 'Fast for Remembrance'
ASBAREZ, 1/6/2007
WASHINGTON, LOS ANGELES--Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) issued a strong
statement of support and solidarity Friday for the "Fast for
Remembrance," a five-day protest fast, which began Tuesday at the
Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles, and is organized by the Armenian
Youth Federation and United Human Rights Council.
"I stand with the Armenian Youth Federation and the United Human
Rights Council's efforts to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide
through a fast in front of the Los Angeles Turkish Consulate. Turkey
must acknowledge the genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire nine
decades ago. We as a nation must also acknowledge the Armenian
Genocide and I will soon introduce a resolution in the House that will
honor the victims and put the Congress on the record. I am hopeful
that with new leadership in Congress we can finally get it passed,"
stated Schiff in his announcement.
Participating in the fast are 19 members of the AYF and UNRC, most of
college students, who opted to spend their holiday break voicing
opposition to Turkey's continued denial of the Armenian Genocide.
One of the fast organizers Vatche Tovmassian explained that the
purpose of "Hunger for Justice" was to send a message to Armenians and
the entire world that the pursuing the Armenian Genocide issue should
not be limited to April 24 only and it should become an everyday
concern for every Armenian.
Passers by have, with great interest, accepted informative flyers
being distributed by the fasters. One of the two flyers provided the
historical background of the Genocide and the other delineated steps
that people can take toward the international recognition of the
Genocide as a precondition to prevent other such crimes against
humanity.
Fasters also attempted to deliver a letter to the Turkish Consulate
officials, but were "politely" turned away. The police have been
keeping a watchful eye on the protesters, but at night made them to
relocate from the Consulate grounds, citing that the building was
private property, forcing the protesters to continue the fast on the
sidewalk.
A physician examined all participants, who were told that the fast was
not posing any health risks. One participant ended the fast at the
physician's insistence.
Friends, family members and community supporters converge at the site
of the protest every night to express their support and solidarity
with the fasters.
The fasters are: Narbeh Abulian, Shagighik Atakhanian, Patyl Aslanian,
Shogher Aslanian, Soseh Ismaelian, Talin Mardirossian, Narine
Melkonian, Berdj Parseghian, Areg Santikian, Avo Shanlian, Sanan
Shirinian, Vatche Soghomonian, Razmig Tovmanssian, Vatche Tovmassian,
Tamar Yardemian and Chris Yemenedjian.
ASBAREZ, 1/6/2007
WASHINGTON, LOS ANGELES--Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) issued a strong
statement of support and solidarity Friday for the "Fast for
Remembrance," a five-day protest fast, which began Tuesday at the
Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles, and is organized by the Armenian
Youth Federation and United Human Rights Council.
"I stand with the Armenian Youth Federation and the United Human
Rights Council's efforts to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide
through a fast in front of the Los Angeles Turkish Consulate. Turkey
must acknowledge the genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire nine
decades ago. We as a nation must also acknowledge the Armenian
Genocide and I will soon introduce a resolution in the House that will
honor the victims and put the Congress on the record. I am hopeful
that with new leadership in Congress we can finally get it passed,"
stated Schiff in his announcement.
Participating in the fast are 19 members of the AYF and UNRC, most of
college students, who opted to spend their holiday break voicing
opposition to Turkey's continued denial of the Armenian Genocide.
One of the fast organizers Vatche Tovmassian explained that the
purpose of "Hunger for Justice" was to send a message to Armenians and
the entire world that the pursuing the Armenian Genocide issue should
not be limited to April 24 only and it should become an everyday
concern for every Armenian.
Passers by have, with great interest, accepted informative flyers
being distributed by the fasters. One of the two flyers provided the
historical background of the Genocide and the other delineated steps
that people can take toward the international recognition of the
Genocide as a precondition to prevent other such crimes against
humanity.
Fasters also attempted to deliver a letter to the Turkish Consulate
officials, but were "politely" turned away. The police have been
keeping a watchful eye on the protesters, but at night made them to
relocate from the Consulate grounds, citing that the building was
private property, forcing the protesters to continue the fast on the
sidewalk.
A physician examined all participants, who were told that the fast was
not posing any health risks. One participant ended the fast at the
physician's insistence.
Friends, family members and community supporters converge at the site
of the protest every night to express their support and solidarity
with the fasters.
The fasters are: Narbeh Abulian, Shagighik Atakhanian, Patyl Aslanian,
Shogher Aslanian, Soseh Ismaelian, Talin Mardirossian, Narine
Melkonian, Berdj Parseghian, Areg Santikian, Avo Shanlian, Sanan
Shirinian, Vatche Soghomonian, Razmig Tovmanssian, Vatche Tovmassian,
Tamar Yardemian and Chris Yemenedjian.