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AYF: Youth Org of Canada Holds Protest in Front Turkish Consulate

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  • AYF: Youth Org of Canada Holds Protest in Front Turkish Consulate

    PRESS RELEASE
    A.R.F. Youth Organization of Canada
    3401 Olivar Asselin
    Montréal, Québec, H4J 1L5
    Contact: Nanor Nicolian
    Tel: 514-927-6901
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Web: http://www.arfyoc.org/


    The A.R.F. Youth Organization of Canada Holds Protest in Front the Turkish
    Consulate in Montreal


    Saturday January 20, 2007. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation's Youth
    Organization of Canada held a protest in front of the Turkish consulate in
    Montreal. It was held in honour of the late Agos newspaper editor Hrant
    Dink, who was assassinated in Istanbul, Turkey, on Friday, January 19th.

    Despite the cold, more than 100 young Armenians and members of the
    community gathered together, to commemorate the tragic death or Hrant
    Dink, as well as to publicly condemn the Turkish Government in its
    responsibility in allowing such a horrendous act to occur. Among those
    present were representatives of the A.R.F. central committee of Canada,
    representatives of the A.R.F. Laval and Montreal committees, members of
    the A.R.F.Y.O.C. Pegor Ashod and Levon Shant chapters, as well a other
    Armenian students and community supporters. Various media groups were also
    present, filming, taking pictures, and interviewing some of the protesters
    and mourners.

    Ms. Annie Arouchian spoke on behalf of the A.R.F. Y.O.C. and the
    Canadian-Armenian youth, denouncing the assassination as a political act,
    a consequence of a government policy of denial. `This is a sad day for the
    entire world, because one more person fell at the hands of a denialist
    regime promoting fear and instilling hatred in the souls of the people.
    Turkey must be held accountable for its negationnist policies and failure
    to ensure the wellbeing of its journalists', stated Ms. Arouchian.
    Following this, Mr. Haytoug Chamlian was invited to speak on behalf of the
    Armenian Community of Quebec. ^ This cowardly act is proof that Turkey is
    haunted by its criminal past and is afraid to face the truth _, Chamlian
    said.

    Following the speeches, participants were invited to partake in a small
    ceremony to honour the memory of Mr. Dink, by placing candles and flowers
    in front of a small memorial created in front of the Turkish Consulate.

    `The quick mobilization of the entire community, especially the youth, and
    their determination to ensure the success of this event honouring the late
    M. Dink, showed once again, that our future generation is ready and able
    to take the torch and fight for a cause that is just, fight for human
    rights and democracy, fight for justice to be served for the 1.5 million
    victims of the Armenian genocide, and all those, like Mr. Dink, who still
    fall at the hands of hatred,' stated Zaven Dersahaguian, vice-president of
    the ARF YOC central executive. `May the soul of Hrant Dink rest in peace'.

    -30-


    Central Executive
    ARF YOC
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