#StopAliyev Demonstration to Take Place in Los Angeles

(GLENDALE, Calif., June 18, 2015) – The Armenian Youth Federation will hold a demonstration on Saturday in front of the Azerbaijani consulate in Los Angeles amid the first European Games currently taking place in Baku, the Azerbaijani capital in order to call attention to the government’s continuous human rights violations..

“We won’t sit idly by and watch Azerbaijan attempt to present itself as a democracy on the world stage,” said Gev Iskajyan, a member of the AYF’s Central Executive board. “With the international attention surrounding Baku at this time, we feel now is a good a time as any to show the world just how corrupt the government of Azerbaijan is.”

Controversy has already surrounded the Baku games since its opening last Friday. Several news organizations, including the United Kingdom-based The Guardian newspaper and BBC, and international human rights organizations, like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have been banned from entering the country.

The government of Azerbaijan has also made repeated threats to start a war with neighboring Artsakh and Armenia, with intensities rising with each border scrimmage. The past year has also seen more reported casualties than any time after the cease-fire agreement of 1994.

A number of news outlets, including CNN and Politico, have already written about the corruption in Baku and the immense limitations on the freedom of press. Singer Lady Gaga has also faced criticism after singing a cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine” at the opening ceremony of the games. She was reportedly paid $2 million to perform the single song.

“There are whispers right now about this issue,” Iskajyan said, “but this needs to be broadcast to the world. We hope to shed light through social media and the demonstration on Saturday.”

The demonstration is set to take place on Saturday, June 20, at 3 p.m. in front of the Azerbaijani consulate, located at 11766 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles. For more information, visit our social media pages (@ayfwest).

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian American youth organization in the world, working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of Armenian youth.

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AYF Announces Partnership with the Glendale Fire Department

Recruit Flyer

(GLENDALE, Calif., June 9, 2015) – The Armenian Youth Federation, in partnership with the Glendale Fire Department, is hosting a recruitment day on June 20 for individuals interested in joining the local fire department.

“The Glendale Fire Department is looking to hire more people from the local community,” said Greg Fish, interim fire chief of the department. “Our partnership with the Armenian Youth Federation allows us to reach many young people for future careers with the department.”

The recruitment day will include a presentation by the fire department, as well as a tour of the station. It will take place at Glendale Fire Station 21 across from the Glendale Galleria located on 421 Oak St. starting at 10 a.m.

“One of AYF’s goals is to empower the youth to fulfill their ambitions,” said Sevag Tchekidjian, a member of the AYF’s Central Executive. “This partnership with the Glendale Fire Department gives the Armenian community an opportunity to get acquainted with the department and get involved.”

The AYF looks forward to continually working with the Glendale Fire Department in promoting recruitment in the Armenian community. For more information go to www.AYFwest.org or contact us at (818) 507-1933.

About the Glendale Fire Department

The mission of the Glendale Fire Department is to protect life and property by providing the highest level of service to the community. For more information about the Glendale Fire Department, go to www.GlendaleFire.org and follow us on twitter at @GlendaleCAFire.

About the Armenian Youth Federation

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian American youth organization in the world, working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of Armenian youth.

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UC Santa Cruz Student Government Votes to Divest from Turkey

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SANTA CRUZ, Calif.— On Tuesday, June 2, the student government at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz), unanimously passed “A Resolution to Divest from the Republic of Turkey to End the Perpetuation of the Armenian Genocide”. The resolution ultimately called for UC Santa Cruz, the UC Santa Cruz Foundation, and the University of California to divest $72.6 million dollars worth of University of California bonds and investments in the Republic of Turkey for its crimes in, and continued denial of the Armenian Genocide.

Various students of UC Santa Cruz, members of the Armenian Students’ Association (ASA), along with members of the greater Armenian community gathered for the hearing of the resolution and spoke about the university’s investments in the Turkish government, its compliance in genocide denial, and the need for divestment.

“Going through the process of this divestment was an amazing feeling and experience. With this victory we are showing the Republic of Turkey, which is a remnant of the Ottoman Empire that we are still here. This divestment resolution proves that the efforts to eliminate our people failed. It is incredibly empowering to have the students of UC Santa Cruz stand with us in solidarity fighting for acknowledgement of the crimes committed against our people, and more importantly for justice.” said Kami Kahwedjian a UC Santa Cruz student.

Over the last few months, similar resolutions have passed at UCLA, UC Irvine, UC Davis, UC Riverside, and UC Berkeley as the strength of the “#DivestTurkey” campaign continues to grow.

Maral Tatoian, an Armenian student at the university stated, “I’m very grateful to have been a part of the divestment process here at UC Santa Cruz. It’s very important that, we, as students, take the initiative to make these types of things happen to show the Republic of Turkey that the Armenian youth are stronger than ever and we will fight for the Armenian cause until we die. Lastly, I want to thank Kami Kahwedjian for working on the divestment process with me and the Divest Turkey team as well.”

The resolution is an initiative started in part by the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Western United States- a grassroots community organization dedicated to justice for the Armenian cause and the Armenian people. For any questions, comments or inquiries on the #DivestTurkey campaign, please email divestment@ayfwest.org.

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Young Armenians Make a Pledge of Service

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Ranks of Armenian Youth Federation Bolstered by Fifty New Junior Members

GLENDALE, CALIF. – Armenian Independence Day festivities on Sunday, May 31, 2015, had additional meaning for more than fifty local Armenian youth who made a public pledge to serve their community, the Armenian nation and its cause.

With an audience of more than two thousand gathered at the grounds of Glendale City Hall to celebrate the first Armenian Republic of 1918, the young Armenians vowed to be exemplary members of the Armenian Youth Federation.

“Presiding over the pledge ceremony of so many young and new members of the AYF ranks was truly an honor,” stated Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central Committee member Aida Dimejian. “We must nurture and inspire our next generation because they will continue our fight and will demand recognition, reparations and restitution from the Turkish government.”

The selfless dedication displayed by those who gave their pledge seemed to invigorate the swelling audience, who danced and sang late into Sunday evening with some of the leading singers and entertainers in the Armenian community.

“AYF means a lot to me. It’s like a family, so I felt really happy after giving my pledge,” exclaimed Alex Manougian, the co-chair of the Montebello AYF Juniors chapter. “I always wanted to join the AYF and am glad to now be an official member.”

By giving their pledge to the AYF, the newest members join thousands of other youth in hundreds of chapters worldwide in their quest to serve.

“We are very proud that during the Armenian Independence Day celebration, our youngest daughter took an oath to join the AYF,” said parent Silva Kirakosian. “In doing so, she has followed the footsteps of her grandparents, parents and siblings to carry on the noble principles and goals of the AYF and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.”

 

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