ANCA TOURS WITH SYSTEM OF A DOWN

Joins Amnesty International and Axis of Justice in Educating System Fans during North American Tour

August 30, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC – Cutting-edge, multi-platinum band System of a Down continues to deliver its message of justice for the Armenian Genocide, educating fans at its Summer 2005 concert series about this crime against humanity, and urging them to work for the adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The ANCA, at the invitation of the band, has worked alongside Amnesty International and Axis of Justice at activist tables at concerts to distribute educational materials, secure signatures on petitions, field questions, and promote discussion about the Turkish government’s ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide. The ANCA, in coordination with its regional offices and with the help of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), has already worked shows in Long Beach, CA; San Diego, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Dallas, TX; San Antonio, TX; Houston, TX; Pensacola, FL; Miami, FL; Atlanta, GA; Hampton, VA; Baltimore, MD; East Rutherford, NJ; and Philadelphia, PA.

In May of this year, Mezmerize, the first half of the band’s two-part album Mezmerize/Hypnotize, debuted as the number-one selling CD in the United States. On April 24th of this year, System held a sold-out “Souls” benefit concert for the ANCA and other groups working to prevent genocide and counter genocide denial. The band has sold nearly 10 million CDs worldwide. A Google search for “System of a Down” returns over 1.6 million hits.

“We are tremendously encouraged by the overwhelming response to System’s creative and powerful outreach to their growing fan-base,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “The band has educated literally millions about the Armenian Genocide, increasing awareness of this crime and helping generate the political will we will need to defeat Turkey’s campaign to deny justice to the Armenian people.”

Among the media outlets that have discussed the Armenian Genocide and/or the band’s Armenian heritage during their coverage of this tour are the New York Daily News, Newsday, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer, Bergen Record, Miami Herald, Orange County Register, San Diego Union-Tribune, Palm Beach Post, Newark Star-Ledger, San Bernardino Sun, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Atlanta Journal Constitution, and Rolling Stone.

For information about System of a Down, including a full listing of their remaining tour dates, visit:
http://www.systemofadown.com

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For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Email / Tel: (202) 775-1918
Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th Street, NW, Suite 904, Washington, DC 20006
Tel. (202) 775-1918 * Fax. (202) 775-5648 * Email.anca@anca.org
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