LOS ANGELES, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region has launched a major Genocide Education Drive. The effort is focused on educating prominent American journalists, news editors, public officials, and academics on the dangers of Turkey’s relentless campaign of denying the Armenian Genocide. The ANCA-WR is giving over 500 key figures in these fields a copy of the book A Problem From Hell: America and the Age of Genocide, which chronicles America’s response to 20th century genocides, including the Armenian Genocide.

“Educating prominent Americans on the dangers of genocide denial does not begin and end every year on April 24th,” commented ANCA-WR Board Member Raffi Hamparian. “Our goal is to provide media officials, Members of Congress and academic figures with the troubling fact that Turkey is practicing genocide denial. This ugly fact cannot be swept underneath a rug – those who practice genocide denial must be exposed and Turkey’s lies must be brought to the attention of leading American intellectuals,” he added.

Copies of A Problem From Hell: America and the Age of Genocide, which was authored by Samantha Power, have been given to over 120 Members of Congress and are being distributed to over a one hundred prominent American scholars who study and teach about crimes against humanity. The book will also be sent to media officials, including scores of journalists and television broadcasters who have either covered issues related to the Armenian Genocide in the past or to those who cover foreign affairs matters.

In a letter sent to recipients of the book the ANCA-WR wrote that, “As proud Armenian- Americans and believers in human rights we understand well the words of President Abraham Lincoln, who stated in 1862 to his fellow Americans that, ‘we, even we here, hold the power and bear the responsibility.’ Likewise, as Armenian-Americans, we understand that we hold the power and bear the responsibility to ensure that our world sees no more genocides. It is in this spirit that the ANCA-WR is pleased to give you this distinguished book,” the letter concludes.

This ANCA-WR Genocide Education Drive has been made possible by a very generous contribution from an anonymous donor.

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.