Armenian-Americans to Rally for Genocide Resolution

Nationwide Push Calls For Congress To Stand Firm In The Face Of Turkish Revisionist Threats
Los Angeles, CA – Armenian-Americans and human rights supporters across the nation will hold several large-scale rallies on November 4, 2007 calling for the passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H. Res.106).
The mass gatherings, entitled “Rally 106: United Voices for the Armenian Genocide Resolution” will be held in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, San Francisco, and Washington DC and are expected to draw thousands of community members and human rights advocates.
“We are encouraged that a broad cross section of Americans will be on hand for Rally 106,” said Ishkhan Boghossian, the director of the Los Angeles area rally. “By supporting the passage of the resolution we are supporting human rights and justice, two fundamental American values. We are also going to stand firmly against an attempt by a foreign government, Turkey, to hijack America’s record on the Armenian Genocide. Clearly, the Republic of Turkey is funneling millions to Washington, DC in a bid to strangle America’s commitment to human rights. That is immoral and we will be gathering to reject Turkey’s foreign interference.”
“Rally 106” comes at a time when the government of Turkey is increasing its efforts to prevent the passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution. Turkey has hired public relations and lobbying firms such as the Livingston Group, Fleishman Hillard, and DLA Piper to lobby Members of Congress and persuade them to vote against the Armenian Genocide resolution.
“I assure you that the passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution has nothing to do with the reality that the Turks may move forward with their threat to cut critical supply routes to our troops in Iraq. They were the cause of much hardship and strain on our troops at the start of the war at which time there was no Armenian Genocide Resolution pending in congress,” said Caspar Jivalagian, chairman of the Armenian Youth Federation. “The reason Turkey makes threats against our country is quite simple; they are an inconsistent ally and surely not a friend of ours.”
Thousands are expected to gather at the rallies in support of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, where various elected officials and dignitaries will voice their support as well. The Los Angeles area Rally 106 will be held in the Little Armenia area of Hollywood near the intersection of Hollywood Blvd. and Alexandria on Sunday, November 4, 2007 at 3pm.
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Armenian Genocide Resolution Passes Through House Foreign Affairs Committee

AYF Commends Activist Efforts of Armenian Youth
Los Angeles- The Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives today, approved a measure (H.Res. 106) which seeks to affirm the United States’ record on the Armenian Genocide by a vote of 27-21. This passage sets the stage for a full vote on the matter by the entire House of Representatives.
Overcoming opposition from an extraordinarily list of detractors, including President George W. Bush, 8 former Secretaries of State and millions of dollars deluging the offices of lobby firms from the government of Turkey, the resolution prevailed.
“By approving this resolution, the Foreign Affairs Committee has risen above outright extortion and political perversion to stand up for this human rights legislation” stated Vache Thomassian, Central Executive member of the AYF.
Acting as the vanguard of the Armenian youth on this issue, the AYF has organized countless letter writing campaigns, phone banking and demonstrations raising awareness of the importance of this resolution. Working side by side with the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), the AYF has been able to mobilize thousands to action to voice their opinions to their elected officials.
“This by no means indicates the end of our struggle. We have to redouble our efforts to ensure a prompt and successful vote by the full House, and we look towards the Armenian youth to lead these efforts,” emphasized Thomassian.
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AYF and ANC Confront Genocide Denier Congresswoman Jane Harman

Los Angeles, CA – “With pride and patriotism, members of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) confronted Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA-36) this weekend for her immoral role in the denial of the Armenian Genocide. It was discovered this week that the Congresswoman, while publicly endorsing H. Res. 106 (the Armenian Genocide Resolution), had secretly authored a letter on October 3, 2007 urging the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to kill that very same bill.
“Jane Harman ought to be ashamed,” commented Vache Thomassian, a member of the AYF Central Executive. “She ought to be ashamed for her rank hypocrisy. She ought to be ashamed for her double standard on human rights. And she ought to be ashamed that as a daughter of a man who came to America as a refugee from Nazi Germany, she is now willing to turn a blind eye to genocide for the sake of political expediency. Shame on Jane Harman,” Thomassian added.
The AYF members, joined by ANC supporters, challenged Harman’s position at a public event held in Lakewood, California on Saturday, October 6, 2007. Nearly a 100 AYF members were on hand, the Armenian Americans spoke truth to power by directly confronting the Congresswoman for her hypocrisy. Specifically, the AYF members shared that her deceitful actions are profoundly immoral and fall far beneath even the most basic ethical standards that her constituents in California’s 36th Congressional District have a right to expect. With chants of “Hypocrite, Liar, Genocide Denier,” the AYF members highlighted Harman’s ethically challenged effort to defeat the Armenian Genocide resolution.
Over 1,000 human rights supporters from across Los Angeles County have contacted Harman’s offices in California and Washington, D.C. to criticize her decision to oppose the Armenian Genocide Resolution. Her constituents have called Harman to express their sharp disappointment with her betrayal to support universal recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Having learned of her secretive opposition to the Armenian Genocide Resolution, many voters in her Congressional District question Harman’s dedication to the truth. Constituents found the Congresswoman’s actions particularly troubling given her longstanding public support for this human rights legislation.
Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) has grown to become the largest and most influential Armenian American youth organization; with chapters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world. Inspired by our past and motivated by the needs of the future, the AYF actively strives to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of all Armenian youth.
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AYF Encourages Community Participation During “Little Armenia” Clean-U

5th Annual Clean-Up Effort Aims To Beautify Street Of Hollywood
Los Angeles- The Armenian Youth Federation of the Western United States announced today that preparations are well underway for the 5th annual “Little Armenia Clean-Up”; scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 7th. The clean-up, entitled “AYF Gives Back to Little Armenia,” is a large scale beautification effort undertaken in the “Little Armenia” district of Hollywood.
The clean-up effort, co sponsored by Los Angeles City Councilmember Eric Garcetti and co-organized with the joint efforts of the Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School, St Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church, ARF Karekin Njdeh Gomideh and Homenetmen Los Angeles Chapter, aims to beautify the streets of this region of Hollywood. Over five hundred participants are anticipated to gather at 8:30 am at 1615 N. Alexandria Ave. in Hollywood to kick off the event with statements from community organizations and elected officials. The participants will then split into groups in order to canvas the area and remove litter from city streets and sidewalks, remove graffiti, uproot weeds and plant trees. In past years the City of Los Angeles Sanitation Department estimated that more than 23,000 pounds of trash were removed as a result of volunteers’ efforts. Additionally, in conjunction with the clean-up and in cooperation with local businesses, the AYF also plans to erect about 40 “Welcome to Little Armenia” light post banners throughout the area.
The event was first organized as a way to give back to the local community and the City of Los Angeles in appreciation of the city’s designation of the Little Armenia neighborhood. Little Armenia is home to a large Armenian population has historically been a way-station for Armenians immigrating to the Los Angeles area. “The Armenian- American community is honored to have an area of Los Angeles designated as Little Armenia and the AYF feels it is our duty as Armenian-Americans and Angelinos to reciprocate this gesture” said AYF Central Executive member Shant Melkonian.
The AYF counts on the support of the Armenian American community to make this event a success. Those who are interested in volunteering or contributing to this event should email AYF@AYFwest.org or call our offices at 818.507.1933
Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) has grown to become the largest and most influential Armenian American youth organization; with chapters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world. Inspired by our past and motivated by the needs of the future, the AYF actively strives to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of all Armenian youth.
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