Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

ANCA: Anti-Genocide Activists Take Message to Capitol Hill

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • ANCA: Anti-Genocide Activists Take Message to Capitol Hill

    Armenian National Committee of America
    1711 N Street, NW
    Washington, DC 20036
    Tel. (202) 775-1918
    Fax. (202) 775-5648
    [email protected]
    Internet www.anca.org

    PRESS RELEASE

    May 2, 2009
    Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
    Tel: (202) 775-1918

    ANTI-GENOCIDE ACTIVISTS CALL FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION;
    IMMEDIATE ACTION ON DARFUR GENOCIDE DURING CAPITOL HILL ADVOCACY
    DAYS

    -- ANCA and Genocide Intervention Network Team up for Third
    "End the Cycle of Genocide" Grassroots Outreach Campaign

    Washington, DC - Over 100 anti-genocide activists from across the
    nation joined the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and
    the Genocide Intervention Network (GI-Net) for the third annual
    "End the Cycle of Genocide" campaign held in Washington, DC from
    April 22nd through 24th.

    The three-day program put community human rights advocates directly
    in touch with over 400 Congressional offices in support of
    practical legislative initiatives to stop the genocide in Darfur
    and end Turkey's ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide.

    "Once again, ANCA and GI-Net activists brought the crucial message
    of genocide recognition and prevention directly to the halls of
    Congress - stressing that genocide must be condemned whenever and
    wherever it occurs," commented ANCA Eastern Region Executive
    Director Karine Birazian. "With Pres. Obama's decision to break his
    pledge to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide, our nationwide
    campaign to ensure America speaks with unstinting resolve against
    genocide takes even greater meaning."

    Birazian teamed up with her Washington DC and Western U.S.
    counterparts and activists from states including, California,
    Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New
    York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Virginia,
    distributing informational folders on the Armenian Genocide and the
    genocide taking place in Darfur, and highlighting legislation
    pertaining to these matters. Activists urged passage of the
    Armenian Genocide resolution (H.Res.252) and support for a $50
    million allocation for Darfur peacekeeping efforts in the 2009
    Supplemental Appropriations bill.

    In the days following the ANCA/GI-Net Capitol Hill advocacy
    campaign, support for the Armenian Genocide resolution increased to
    116 cosponsors, with the addition of Representatives Robert Andrews
    (D-NJ), Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Joe
    Courtney (D-CT), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Sam Farr (D-CA), Steny Hoyer
    (D-MD), Dale Kildee (D-MI), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Carolyn McCarthy (D-
    NY), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Walter Minnick (D-ID), Charles Rangel
    (D-NY), Thomas Perriello (D-VA), and John Salazar (D-CO).

    "Capitol Hill advocacy days bring together activists of all ages -
    some who have walked the halls of Congress for many years and
    others for whom this is a new experience - all for the cause of
    genocide recognition and prevention," said Glendale, CA ANCA
    activist Elen Asatryan. "This interaction - between activists and
    Members of Congress and staff - speaks to the fundamental role of
    citizen advocacy in the shaping of U.S. policy on genocide and a
    broad range of human rights concerns."

    Those in attendance took part in the April 22nd Capitol Hill
    Armenian Genocide commemorative program, organized by the
    Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. The program included
    remarks by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
    (D-MD), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-
    NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) as well as Armenian Genocide Resolution
    lead sponsors Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rep. George Radanovich
    (R-CA), House Members of Armenian descent Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and
    Jackie Speier (D-CA), as well as Reps. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI),
    Jim McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV)
    and Tim Walz (D-MN).

    Members in attendance at the Observance also included Sen. Jack
    Reed (D-RI), and Reps. Jim Costa (D-CA), David Dreier (R-CA), Bob
    Filner (D-CA), Jim Gerlach (R-PA), Martin Heinrich (D-MN), Rush
    Holt (D-NJ), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), James Langevin (D-RI), Richard
    Neal (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Ed Royce (R-CA), and Diane Watson
    (D-CA).

    On April 24th, activists joined with the Greater Washington DC area
    Armenian Youth Federation in protesting Turkey's ongoing denial of
    the Armenian Genocide at a demonstration in front of the Turkish
    Embassy.

    Photos from Advocacy Days are posted at:
    <http://www.anca.org/press_releases/press_r eleases.php?prid=1711>http://www.anca.org/press _releases/press_releases.php?prid=1711

    ####

    Edit or: Please email
    <mailto:[email protected]>elizabeth@anca .o rg for print quality photos.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Working...
X