GLENDALE – The United Human Rights Council (UHRC) of the Armenian Youth Federation – Western Region’s (AYF-WR) is hosting a screening of Roxanne Makasdjian (Bezjian)’s documentary Charles Garry: Streetfighter in the Courtroom and panel discussion on Sunday February 28th. The event will be held at 6 p.m. at Occidental College in Eagle Rock, California, and is co-sponsored by the Occidental College Armenian Students’ Association and Black Student Alliance.
The one-hour documentary tells the story of Armenian-American defense attorney Charles Garry, who was noted for his defense of political activist groups including the Black Panthers, Los Siete de la Raza, the Oakland 7 and the Chicago 8.
Streetfighter highlights Garry’s childhood and experiences with anti-Armenian and xenophobic racism in the Central Valley of California, and how his background as the son of Armenian refugees escaping the 1890’s Hamidian massacres shaped his career.
The Black Panther was chosen as the symbol of the party because the panther is an animal that does not attack unprovoked, but will defend itself vehemently.
“This is the second edition of this year’s ‘Haytoug Talks’, a series of panels, film screenings, and other conversations hosted by the AYF-WR to engage the Armenian-American community with unique topics that are not often extensively addressedâ€
