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Armenian National Committee
47 Nichols Avenue
Watertown MA 02472
617-926-1890
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE:
February 26, 2008
For information contact:
617-347-2833
Massachusetts Armenian American Community Urges State Agency to End
its Endorsement of ADL's No Place for Hate Program
Watertown, MA - Massachusetts Armenian American organizations today
urged the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) to end its
endorsement of the Anti Defamation League's (ADL) No Place for Hate
program.
In an open letter, over thirty Armenian American organizations from
across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts called on the MMA to rescind
its `endorsement of the No Place for Hate (NPFH) program due to the
ADL's refusal to unambiguously acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and
its continued active opposition to US recognition of the Genocide.'
See full text of letter below.
The letter praised the MMA for urging the Anti Defamation League last
September to `remain true to its own mission and fully and
unequivocally acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and express support
for U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide' but declared that `as
human rights organization and especially as an organization that
sponsors tolerance education programs in our communities, the ADL is
expected to speak with absolute moral clarity about genocide and its
denial. As it stands, the ADL's August 21 statement with its
convoluted and irresolute language remains the ADL's official
statement on the Armenian Genocide.'
The Armenian American community letter to the MMA comes just one month
after the MMA held its annual meeting and elected a new board of
directors.
`Despite repeated calls, the ADL has refused to recognize the Armenian
Genocide, and as such, has lost the moral authority as a human rights
organization, stated Herman Purutyan, Massachusetts state chair for
the Armenian Assembly of America. `We urge the Massachusetts Municipal
Association to join our communities and sever its ties with the No
Place For Hate program, as long as the program is tainted by Genocide
denial."
`The MMA took a principled stand in September by calling on the ADL to
do what so many of us hoped it would: unequivocally acknowledge the
Armenian Genocide and end its active opposition to Congressional
affirmation of the Genocide,' stated Sharistan Melkonian of the
Armenian National Committee. `The ADL sadly fell short of its
responsibilities as a human rights organization and we now look to the
MMA to do the only right thing: end its endorsement of a program
sponsored by an organization which engages in genocide denial.'
According to the MMA's website, the No Place for Hate program was
created by the Anti Defamation League in partnership with the
Massachusetts Municipal Association `to provide communities with a
solid framework for promoting an inclusive environment while fighting
all forms of hate and bigotry.'
Last September the MMA passed a resolution calling on the ADL to
`support the Congressional [Armenian Genocide] Resolution.' In a
letter to local No Place for Hate communities the MMA stated that it
had `issued a strong and unequivocal statement on the importance of
recognizing the Armenian Genocide and supporting passage of the
Congressional Resolution.' The letter also affirmed that the MMA
`called on the national ADL organization to do the same' and concluded
by stating that it would `review and monitor this matter, recognizing
that while progress has been made,' the MMA would `re-evaluate our
official sponsorship of NPFH after the national ADL determines whether
to adopt this position.'
Background
The ADL has for many years refused to acknowledge that the systematic
massacre of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 was
genocide. To make matters worse, the ADL has actively engaged in
efforts to oppose Congressional affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.
Only after intense pressure which started in Watertown Massachusetts
last summer did the national ADL issue a statement on August 21, 2007
which referring to the events of 1915-1918, declared, `The
consequences of those actions were indeed tantamount to genocide.'
Aside from the fact that the Armenian Genocide began in 1915 and
continued through 1923, the statement was not a full, unequivocal
acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide.
Not only was the qualifier `tantamount' inappropriate, but the use of
the word `consequences' circumvented the international legal
definition of genocide by avoiding any language that would imply
intent, a crucial aspect of the 1948 UN Genocide Convention
definition.
The ADL convened its national meeting in New York City in early
November at which time the issue of the Armenian Genocide was
discussed.
Upon conclusion, a one sentence press statement was issued that `The
National Commission of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today, at its
annual meeting, decided to take no further action on the issue of the
Armenian genocide.' http://www.adl.org/PresRele/Mise_00/5162_00.htm
F or complete information about the ADL controversy surrounding the
Armenian Genocide visit www.noplacefordenial.com
####
Open Letter from the Armenian American Community
to the Massachusetts Municipal Association
February 26, 2008
Massachusetts Municipal Association
One Winthrop Square
Boston MA 02110
Dear Chairman Tobey and Members,
We write to you in light of the November 2007 decision of the
Anti-Defamation League (ADL) `to take no further action' regarding its
policy on the Armenian Genocide and respectfully urge you to rescind
your endorsement of the No Place for Hate (NPFH) program due to the
ADL's refusal to unambiguously acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and
its continued active opposition to US recognition of the Genocide.
Last September the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Municipal
Association (MMA) wrote to the ADL asking the ADL to remain true to
its own mission and fully and unequivocally acknowledge the Armenian
Genocide and express support for U.S. recognition of the Armenian
Genocide.
Upon conclusion of its National Commissioners meeting in early
November, however, the ADL issued a one sentence press statement
declaring that, `The National Commission of the Anti-Defamation League
(ADL) today, at its annual meeting, decided to take no further action
on the issue of the Armenian genocide.'
As a human rights organization and especially as an organization that
sponsors tolerance education programs in our communities, the ADL is
expected to speak with absolute moral clarity about genocide and its
denial. As it stands, the ADL's August 21 statement with its
convoluted and irresolute language remains the ADL's official
statement on the Armenian Genocide.
While the achievements of the NPFH program and the hard work of its
members should be applauded, their work has been compromised by the
policies of the ADL which has failed to live up to the standards not
only of its own mission to `secure justice and fair treatment for all
citizens alike' but also of a human rights organization by its
position on the Armenian Genocide. In addition, by not distancing
itself from this position and instead publicly stating that their
position is now one and the same with that of the National, the New
England ADL has disappointingly retreated from the principled position
it took in August.
The Belmont Human Rights Commission said it best: `ADL and the No
Place for Hate program emphasize that the `tip of the pyramid of
hatred' is genocide. How can we, in good faith, ask our community to
work at the base of this same pyramid while the No
Place for Hate sponsor is actively working against congressional,
international recognition of the Armenian genocide?' (September 6,
2007)
We respectfully ask that you rescind your endorsement of the No Place
for Hate program due to the ADL's refusal to unambiguously acknowledge
the Armenian Genocide and continued active opposition to US
recognition of the Genocide.
Sincerely,
Armenian Assembly of America
Armenian Church of the Holy Translators (Framingham, MA)
Armenian Church of the Martyrs (Worcester, MA)
Armenian Church of Our Savior (Worcester, MA)
Armenian Democratic Liberal Organization
Armenian General Benevolent Union
Armenian General Benevolent Union Young Professionals
Armenian Independent Broadcasting of Boston
Armenian Mirror Spectator Weekly
Armenian National Committee
Armenian Relief Society Cambridge Shushi Chapter
Armenian Relief Society Worcester Knar Chapter
Armenian Relief Society Lola Sassouni Chapter
Armenian Relief Society Lowell Lousintak Chapter
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
The Armenian Weekly
Armenian Youth Federation Worcester Aram Chapter
Armenian Youth Federation Greater Boston Chapter
First Armenian Church (Belmont, MA)
Hairenik Weekly
Hamazkayin Boston Chapter
Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Church (Belmont, MA)
Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church (Worcester, MA)
Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church of Greater Boston (Cambridge, MA)
Homenetmen Greater Boston Chapter
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
North Andover Sasoun Armenian Youth Federation
Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives
Social Democratic Hunchakian Party
St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley (North Andover, MA)
St. James Armenian Apostolic Church (Watertown, MA)
St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church (Watertown, MA)
Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church (Chelmsford, MA)
Tekeyan Cultural Association Boston Chapter
47 Nichols Avenue
Watertown MA 02472
617-926-1890
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE:
February 26, 2008
For information contact:
617-347-2833
Massachusetts Armenian American Community Urges State Agency to End
its Endorsement of ADL's No Place for Hate Program
Watertown, MA - Massachusetts Armenian American organizations today
urged the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) to end its
endorsement of the Anti Defamation League's (ADL) No Place for Hate
program.
In an open letter, over thirty Armenian American organizations from
across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts called on the MMA to rescind
its `endorsement of the No Place for Hate (NPFH) program due to the
ADL's refusal to unambiguously acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and
its continued active opposition to US recognition of the Genocide.'
See full text of letter below.
The letter praised the MMA for urging the Anti Defamation League last
September to `remain true to its own mission and fully and
unequivocally acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and express support
for U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide' but declared that `as
human rights organization and especially as an organization that
sponsors tolerance education programs in our communities, the ADL is
expected to speak with absolute moral clarity about genocide and its
denial. As it stands, the ADL's August 21 statement with its
convoluted and irresolute language remains the ADL's official
statement on the Armenian Genocide.'
The Armenian American community letter to the MMA comes just one month
after the MMA held its annual meeting and elected a new board of
directors.
`Despite repeated calls, the ADL has refused to recognize the Armenian
Genocide, and as such, has lost the moral authority as a human rights
organization, stated Herman Purutyan, Massachusetts state chair for
the Armenian Assembly of America. `We urge the Massachusetts Municipal
Association to join our communities and sever its ties with the No
Place For Hate program, as long as the program is tainted by Genocide
denial."
`The MMA took a principled stand in September by calling on the ADL to
do what so many of us hoped it would: unequivocally acknowledge the
Armenian Genocide and end its active opposition to Congressional
affirmation of the Genocide,' stated Sharistan Melkonian of the
Armenian National Committee. `The ADL sadly fell short of its
responsibilities as a human rights organization and we now look to the
MMA to do the only right thing: end its endorsement of a program
sponsored by an organization which engages in genocide denial.'
According to the MMA's website, the No Place for Hate program was
created by the Anti Defamation League in partnership with the
Massachusetts Municipal Association `to provide communities with a
solid framework for promoting an inclusive environment while fighting
all forms of hate and bigotry.'
Last September the MMA passed a resolution calling on the ADL to
`support the Congressional [Armenian Genocide] Resolution.' In a
letter to local No Place for Hate communities the MMA stated that it
had `issued a strong and unequivocal statement on the importance of
recognizing the Armenian Genocide and supporting passage of the
Congressional Resolution.' The letter also affirmed that the MMA
`called on the national ADL organization to do the same' and concluded
by stating that it would `review and monitor this matter, recognizing
that while progress has been made,' the MMA would `re-evaluate our
official sponsorship of NPFH after the national ADL determines whether
to adopt this position.'
Background
The ADL has for many years refused to acknowledge that the systematic
massacre of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 was
genocide. To make matters worse, the ADL has actively engaged in
efforts to oppose Congressional affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.
Only after intense pressure which started in Watertown Massachusetts
last summer did the national ADL issue a statement on August 21, 2007
which referring to the events of 1915-1918, declared, `The
consequences of those actions were indeed tantamount to genocide.'
Aside from the fact that the Armenian Genocide began in 1915 and
continued through 1923, the statement was not a full, unequivocal
acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide.
Not only was the qualifier `tantamount' inappropriate, but the use of
the word `consequences' circumvented the international legal
definition of genocide by avoiding any language that would imply
intent, a crucial aspect of the 1948 UN Genocide Convention
definition.
The ADL convened its national meeting in New York City in early
November at which time the issue of the Armenian Genocide was
discussed.
Upon conclusion, a one sentence press statement was issued that `The
National Commission of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today, at its
annual meeting, decided to take no further action on the issue of the
Armenian genocide.' http://www.adl.org/PresRele/Mise_00/5162_00.htm
F or complete information about the ADL controversy surrounding the
Armenian Genocide visit www.noplacefordenial.com
####
Open Letter from the Armenian American Community
to the Massachusetts Municipal Association
February 26, 2008
Massachusetts Municipal Association
One Winthrop Square
Boston MA 02110
Dear Chairman Tobey and Members,
We write to you in light of the November 2007 decision of the
Anti-Defamation League (ADL) `to take no further action' regarding its
policy on the Armenian Genocide and respectfully urge you to rescind
your endorsement of the No Place for Hate (NPFH) program due to the
ADL's refusal to unambiguously acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and
its continued active opposition to US recognition of the Genocide.
Last September the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Municipal
Association (MMA) wrote to the ADL asking the ADL to remain true to
its own mission and fully and unequivocally acknowledge the Armenian
Genocide and express support for U.S. recognition of the Armenian
Genocide.
Upon conclusion of its National Commissioners meeting in early
November, however, the ADL issued a one sentence press statement
declaring that, `The National Commission of the Anti-Defamation League
(ADL) today, at its annual meeting, decided to take no further action
on the issue of the Armenian genocide.'
As a human rights organization and especially as an organization that
sponsors tolerance education programs in our communities, the ADL is
expected to speak with absolute moral clarity about genocide and its
denial. As it stands, the ADL's August 21 statement with its
convoluted and irresolute language remains the ADL's official
statement on the Armenian Genocide.
While the achievements of the NPFH program and the hard work of its
members should be applauded, their work has been compromised by the
policies of the ADL which has failed to live up to the standards not
only of its own mission to `secure justice and fair treatment for all
citizens alike' but also of a human rights organization by its
position on the Armenian Genocide. In addition, by not distancing
itself from this position and instead publicly stating that their
position is now one and the same with that of the National, the New
England ADL has disappointingly retreated from the principled position
it took in August.
The Belmont Human Rights Commission said it best: `ADL and the No
Place for Hate program emphasize that the `tip of the pyramid of
hatred' is genocide. How can we, in good faith, ask our community to
work at the base of this same pyramid while the No
Place for Hate sponsor is actively working against congressional,
international recognition of the Armenian genocide?' (September 6,
2007)
We respectfully ask that you rescind your endorsement of the No Place
for Hate program due to the ADL's refusal to unambiguously acknowledge
the Armenian Genocide and continued active opposition to US
recognition of the Genocide.
Sincerely,
Armenian Assembly of America
Armenian Church of the Holy Translators (Framingham, MA)
Armenian Church of the Martyrs (Worcester, MA)
Armenian Church of Our Savior (Worcester, MA)
Armenian Democratic Liberal Organization
Armenian General Benevolent Union
Armenian General Benevolent Union Young Professionals
Armenian Independent Broadcasting of Boston
Armenian Mirror Spectator Weekly
Armenian National Committee
Armenian Relief Society Cambridge Shushi Chapter
Armenian Relief Society Worcester Knar Chapter
Armenian Relief Society Lola Sassouni Chapter
Armenian Relief Society Lowell Lousintak Chapter
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
The Armenian Weekly
Armenian Youth Federation Worcester Aram Chapter
Armenian Youth Federation Greater Boston Chapter
First Armenian Church (Belmont, MA)
Hairenik Weekly
Hamazkayin Boston Chapter
Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Church (Belmont, MA)
Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church (Worcester, MA)
Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church of Greater Boston (Cambridge, MA)
Homenetmen Greater Boston Chapter
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
North Andover Sasoun Armenian Youth Federation
Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives
Social Democratic Hunchakian Party
St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley (North Andover, MA)
St. James Armenian Apostolic Church (Watertown, MA)
St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church (Watertown, MA)
Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church (Chelmsford, MA)
Tekeyan Cultural Association Boston Chapter