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.