Capacity Crowd Attends Special Screening of ‘Architects of Denial’

Executive Producer Montel Williams Addresses Attendees

GLENDALE – A capacity crowd attended a private screening of the critically acclaimed Armenian Genocide documentary film “Architects of Denial” on Wednesday. The Armenian National Committee of America – Glendale Chapter hosted the private screening in partnership with The Americana at Brand. In attendance were Executive Producer of “Architects of Denial,” Montel Williams, state and local elected officials, community organizations and members of the community at large.

The screening held at the Pacific Theater located inside The American at Brand, provided an opportunity for over 250 individuals to watch and be more informed about the history of the Armenian people, and the continuation of genocide denial that exists to this day.

Attendees included California State Senator Anthony Portantino and a representative from the offices of Congressman Adam Schiff. Also in attendance were Glendale City Mayor Vartan Gharpetian, Councilmembers Paula Devine, Ara Najarian, Zareh Sinanyan and City Clerk Ardy Kassakhian; Glendale Unified School District Board of Education Clerk Jennifer Freemon, Member Dr. Armina Gharpetian and Superintendent Winfred B. Roberson; Glendale Community College Board of Trustees President Dr. Armine Hacopian and Trustee Yvette Vartanian Davis, as well Superintendent/President Dr. David Viar; Crescenta Valley Town Council President Harry Leon, Vice President Mike Claessens and Councilmember Kyle Sudebaker, as well as California State Assemblymember Laura Friedman, Burbank Unified School District Board of Education Clerk Dr. Armond Aghakhanian. Also attending were several commissioners and city staff, representatives from local organizations, non-profit groups, individuals who worked on the development of the documentary, and various other active members of the Glendale Community.

ANCA Glendale Chair, Artin Manoukian welcomed attendees and thanked the Americana at Brand management for facilitating the screening. He also stated, “When the film was over I realized, that if we are capable of doing egregious and unspeakable things to each other, then we must be capable of mutual understanding, of active participation for the betterment of each other’s lives, and to do good on a larger scale than we already are.â€