ANC EVENTS AND INITIATIVES – FROM CALIFORNIA, NEVADA, ARIZONA, MONTANA, IDAHO AND OTHER STATES – DRAW RECORD NUMBERS OF ARMENIAN

ANC Communicates Genocide Recognition with CNN, The Los Angeles Times and Major Media Outlets

April 28, 2004

California ANC: Thousands of Armenian Americans attended a solemn ceremony in the shadow of the Armenian Genocide Monument in Montebello and were joined by Members of Congress, State Legislators and Officials, the Co-Chairman of the Kerry Presidential Campaign, and local public officials.

Nevada ANC: Hundreds of Armenian Americans attended a commemoration ceremony with keynote speaker U.S. Senator John Ensign, author of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (S.Res.164) in the Senate.

Arizona ANC: Over 250 Armenian Americans in Phoenix joined together at Wesley Bolin Plaza, home of an Armenian Genocide Monument, to mark the 89th anniversary of the first genocide of the 20th century.

Montana ANC: The State of Montana became the 32nd U.S. state to recognize the Armenian Genocide. This initiative was spearheaded by the ANC of Montana.

Idaho ANC: The State of Idaho became the 33rd U.S. state to recognize the Armenian Genocide as Republican Governor Dirk Kempthorne, issued a proclamation citing April 24th “Idaho Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923.” This initiative was spearheaded by the ANC of Idaho.

ANC-Professional Network: In cooperation with the ARF Shant Student Association and the Armenian Youth Federation, ANC-PN organized a “Rally Against Genocide Denial.” The event was attended by over 1,000 youth and included a presentation by popular radio host David Barsamian.

MAJOR EVENT: The rock band System of a Down dedicated its April 24th performance to the remembrance of the Armenian Genocide and raised funds for the ANCA in DC. Tickets for the concert were sold out in seven minutes.

INTERNET INITIATIVE: Over 10,000 Armenian-Americans from the Western United States sent messages to their Members of Congress through the ANCA website Action Alert system – www.anca.org.

ANCA GENOCIDE PREVENTION POSTCARD CAMPAIGN: In a massive grassroots drive, over ten thousand ANC supporters signed postcards urging Congressional leaders to schedule a vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolutions pending in the House (H.Res. 193) and Senate (S.Res.164).

Central California/Fresno ANC Chapter: Close to 1,000 community memebers joined together to raise the Armenian Flag above City Hall to honor the martyrs of 1915.

San Francisco/Bay Area ANC Chapter: Secured Armenian Genocide resolutions from four cities and counties, showed an Armenian Genocide film at the S.F. Public Library and helped lead a Genocide commemoration event featuring the Speaker Pro Tempore of the California State Assembly, Leland Yee.

City of Los Angeles: Seven Members of the Los Angeles City Council joined ANC leaders at a solemn ceremony held to mark the Armenian Genocide. A resolution was unanimously passed by the City Council to honor the martyrs of 1915 and register opposition to efforts to deny this crime against humanity.

Burbank ANC Chapter: Worked with local civic and political leaders to have the Burbank City Council pass a proclamation commemorating the Armenian Genocide.

East San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles ANC Chapters: Hosted a forum featuring Aram Sarafian, a Major in the U.S. Army and an ANC activist. Sarafian focused his remarks on the need for Armenian Americans to engage the American political process in the effort to secure full U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

La Crescenta ANC Chapter: Organized an educational event on Armenian history and the Armenian Genocide at the Historical Society of Crescenta Valley Town Council with Professor Levon Marashlian of Glendale Community College.

Pasadena ANC Chapter: Over four hundred Armenian Americans joined the Mayor of Pasadena and Congressman Adam Schiff in commemorating the Armenian Genocide at an event held at the Pasadena Armenian Center.

San Diego ANC Chapter: Will be hosting an academic conference on Genocide Denial on May 8, 2004 at U.C. San Diego.

San Fernando Valley and Glendale ANC Chapters: In cooperation with the American Red Cross, each ANC chapter hosted a successful blood drive. The blood of the Armenian American community will be used to save lives.

San Gabriel Valley/Montebello ANC: Hosted a vigil in the shadow of the Genocide Monument. The event included the participation of Congresswomen Grace Napolitano and Mayor of Montebello Norma Lopez-Reid.

South Bay/Torrance ANC Chapter: Worked with Rolling Hills Estates Councilman Frank Zerunyan to have the City Council pass a resolution commemorating the Armenian Genocide.

National: ANCA-WR pushed a record number of Members of Congress to urge President Bush to use the term “genocide” in his April 24th message. Over 190 House and Senate members joined the effort.

California: With the full support of the Central California/Fresno ANC chapter – California State Senator Chuck Poochigian urged and secured an “Armenian Genocide” statement from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Local Los Angeles Events: ANCA-WR Staff spoke at a record number of events to educate the public about the Armenian Genocide – talks were delivered at Cal State LA, Cal Poly Pomona, Bank of America Culture Day, Pasadena School District, Calabasas High School, Homenentmen Scouts, All-Armenian Student Association Candle Light Vigil at University of California, Riverside, Glendale High School Armenian Genocide Remembrance Assembly, Chamlian Armenian School in La Crescenta, California, Los Angeles County Department of Social Services Welfare Office Staff on “Trauma of the Armenian Genocide,” Camp Shining Light participants, and at many other venues.

City Proclamations: The ANC worked with local city leaders in California to pass Armenian Genocide Resolutions in Irvine, Oakland, Downey, Rolling Hills Estates, among many other municipalities.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

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For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Armen Carapetian
Email / Tel: (818) 500-1918
Armenian National Committee of America
Western Region
104 N. Belmont, Suite 200, Glendale, CA 91206 * Tel. (818) 500-1918
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