ENCINO, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR), Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) and “SCREAMERS” film director Carla Garapedian called for an end to the cycle of genocide, from the Armenian Genocide of 1915 to the Genocide going on in Darfur today. They also condemned Variety Magazine, which covers the movie industry, for supporting the Government of Turkey’s on-going Armenian Genocide denial by casting doubt upon the historical facts of the Genocide.
Rep. Sherman spoke of the pressing need to stop the on-going genocide in Darfur in order to break the cycle of genocide that has been plaguing our world over the last century. The Congressman, who will be spearheading efforts on an Armenian Genocide resolution in the House of Representatives next year, noted reasons why the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is essential to bringing an end to the global cycle of genocide. He said it was “Hitler who proclaimed, who today remembers the Armenians?” In answer to Variety Magazine casting doubt upon the historical facts of the Armenian Genocide with their use of the terminology “so-called Armenian Genocide,” he ridiculed the publication by saying that there are also people who still believe O.J. Simpson is innocent.
The call to action was made during a press conference organized by the ANCA-WR outside the Laemmle Theatre in Encino, California, where the new documentary SCREAMERS will begin showing on December 22nd. The movie provides a comprehensive examination of how genocide was first used by Turkey as a state policy in 1915 in order to kill 1.5 million Armenian citizens, which Hitler later used as a blueprint for the Holocaust. Since then genocide has been repeated in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and most recently Darfur. The film portrays the fight for justice through the eyes and music of the Grammy award- winning rock band System of a Down, whose members are all grandchildren of Genocide survivors.
Covering the press conference were various members of the media including FOX News, regional media outlets and Armenian media.
“Genocide recognition should never be a currency for better economic relations or more arms deals with other nations,” stated Carla Garapedian, director of SCREAMERS. She emphasized that by seeing SCREAMERS, people will send a clear message to the whole nation that this is an issue that they care about and that genocide in our time can and must be stopped.
Nishan Bostanian, spokesperson for the San Fernando Valley ANC, thanked Rep. Brad Sherman for his leadership role in fighting for justice for the martyrs and survivors of the Armenian Genocide and for his role in helping bring attention to the genocide taking place in Darfur. Bostanian stated that when the 110th Congress convenes in January of 2007, the San Fernando Valley ANC looks forward to working closely with Rep. Sherman in his efforts with Speaker Pelosi and other key members of Congress to pass a resolution on the Armenian Genocide.
The 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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