The AYF Pasadena “Nigol Touman” Chapter is proud to host their first Community Health Fair taking place on June 28 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at 2242 E Foothill Blvd Pasadena, CA 91107. The event will host several organizations such as Beads for Battle, Inc. , #IWEARORANGE, ABMDR-Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry, Young & Healthy and Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley. These booths will discuss several health related topics and will give advice and pamphlets to all attendees. You will be given a check-up for vital signs and be given the opportunity to learn hands only CPR by Code 3 Life Support. After having your vital signs checked by one of our skilled technicians from the Huntington Memorial Hospital, you’re invited to come take pictures at our photo booth, visit our food truck to have a bite to eat, and enjoy a healthy smoothie from our Juice Bar, while listening to some great music! Be sure to save the date, we’re hoping to see you then!

Thousands of protesters gathered in front of the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles on April 24 to demand justice for the Armenian Genocide as part of the 24 Hours of Action organized by the Armenian Youth Federation.

 

The day-long demonstration began at 2 p.m. with protesters disseminating information about the Armenian Genocide to the public. At 4 p.m., those in attendance took part in the protest rally, expressing their demands for justice and recognition of the genocide by the Turkish and United States governments.

Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian was among the protesters. In his speech, he compared the Armenian demands for reparation to those of Americans for the occurrences of September 11, 2001. Montebello City Councilman Jack Hadjinian also addressed the crowd and commended the Armenian youth on their efforts on social media to spread awareness about the Armenian Genocide.

Serob Abrahamian presented the AYF’s message in Armenian, calling on President Barack Obama to keep his presidential campaign promise of recognizing the genocide. Sanan Shirinian presented the AYF’s message in English, saying that the youth will not stop fighting until justice is served. “Don’t tell us we’re being too idealistic, because we’re not meant to be level-headed. We are meant to be revolutionaries,” she said. “Why? Because we belong to the Armenian Nation.”

Following the protest, the 24 Hours of Action continued with musical performances and live art by renowned community singers and artists. Participants then gathered in a circle and sang revolutionary and patriotic songs for the remainder of the evening.

Beginning at midnight, Gregory Stanton’s eight stages of genocide were presented each hour. During the final stage of Denial, protesters sat in solidarity against the Turkish Consulate building with their mouths taped shut. The word “Denial” appeared across their mouths.

At 10 a.m., the protesters marched to The Grove and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to pass out informational pamphlets about the genocide. They reconvened in front of the consulate at noon and were joined by hundreds of students from Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School.

A second protest rally took place until 2 p.m. on April 25. In his message to the youth, AYF member Joseph Kaskanian said, “As I look into this crowd and see the faces of our youth, I know for a fact our generation will be strong. We will fight for our free, independent, united Armenia.”

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

The annual Armenian Genocide Commemoration event in Burbank will be held on Tuesday, April 22, at Burbank City Hall (275 E. Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91502) and at the ACF Burbank Youth Center (75 E. Santa Anita Ave, Burbank, CA 91502). The event is organized by the Armenian Youth Federation Burbank “Varak” Chapter, in conjunction with the Armenian National Committee of America, Burbank .

The remembrance program will begin at 6 p.m. inside the Burbank City Council Chambers, during which the Burbank City Council will present its proclamation in recognition of the Armenian Genocide. This proclamation has become a Burbank tradition wherein the City Council demonstrates its support for the concerns and aspirations of its large Armenian community.

Immediately following the remembrance program, a candle-lit walk will commence at 7 p.m. from Burbank City Hall to the Burbank Youth Center, where a commemoration program will follow.

The program will include the presentation of the colors by the Homenetmen Burbank “Sipan” Chapter, as well as poetry, music and performances by Karavan Dance Studio. The artistic performances represent the resilience of the Armenian people despite the Turkish government’s attempt to annihilate them almost a century ago.

Transportation will be provided back to Burbank City Hall. For more information please contact the AYF Burbank “Varak” Chapter at varak@ayfwest.org.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Burbank advances the social, economic, cultural and political rights of the area’s Armenian community and promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.

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

GLENDALE – The Armenian Youth Federation – Western Region hosted a town hall meeting on Wednesday at the Krikor and Mariam Karamanoukian Glendale Youth Center. Hundreds were in attendance as representatives from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, the Armenian National Committee of America, the Kessab Educational Association of Los Angeles, and the Syrian-Armenian Relief Fund presented information about the recent attacks on the predominantly Armenian town of Kessab, Syria, as well as Turkey’s involvement in the occurrences.

Vahe Lepedjian, a member of the AYF-WR Central Executive, explained in his opening remarks that the AYF-WR thought it necessary to hold this meeting in order to present the community with up-to-date and accurate information regarding the recent occurrences in Kessab. Over the past few weeks, the AYF-WR has seen an overwhelming response to its #SaveKessab campaign on the internet, but information shared through social media has not always been truthful.

“As an organization that is dedicated to strengthening and educating our community, engaging and activating the masses serves as the best motivation to continue working toward our goal,” Lepedjian said. “Whether online or in person, our efforts have been matched with an overwhelming amount of interest and support.”

Speaking on behalf of the ARF was Dr. Viken Hovsepian, chairperson of the ARF Western United States Central Committee. He presented the facts of the attack, saying that residents of Kessab have evacuated the town and there have been no Armenian casualties to date. He also explained that an emergency meeting was called with the U.S. State Department the day of the attacks. Representatives from the ARF and ANCA presented facts and evidence, urging the State Department to begin a formal, independent investigation into Turkey’s involvement in the attacks. Raffi Hamparian, ANCA National Board member, spoke to the crowd about the importance of contacting their representatives in Congress and calling for congressional intelligence inquiry into the attacks.

Joining the meeting from Latakia via Skype was Garo Manjikian. He is heading relief efforts in Latakia, where the majority of Kessab residents have found refuge. He said that on the morning of March 21, locals noticed that Turkish police posts at the border were vacated. Hours later, the attackers crossed the border and attacked the town. Residents, he said, adamantly wish to return to their homes in Kessab. He thanked the international Armenian community for all its support in the last few weeks.

Esther Tognozzi, president of the KEA, thanked the community for its support and asked that any information found online be verified before sharing. She also conducted the Q&A session with Manjikian. The final speaker was Zaven Khanjian on behalf of SARF. He urged the crowd to attend the Hye Aid 3 benefit concert, the proceeds of which will help relief efforts in Kessab.

The crisis in Kessab is of particular concern to the Armenian community because of its unique historical significance as the last indigenously-populated Armenian town on the lands of historic Western Armenia. The attacks on Kessab serve as a bitter reminder of the same tactics Turkish forces utilized as a precursor to genocide in 1909 and 1915.

Wednesday’s town hall meeting attracted activists of different backgrounds. Jason Acherman, a  member of the Encino Neighborhood Council, attended the meeting to be further informed on the subject of Kessab. “I just wanted to get a better sense of what’s going on and see what I, as a non-Armenian-American, can do to help,” he said. “I’m Jewish and my people have faced genocide as well, so I have deep empathy for the Armenian community.”

The AYF-WR is gratified and inspired by the success of the #SaveKessab campaign, but is likewise aware of a mass distribution of inaccurate information and images not associated with the crisis in Kessab. Moving forward, it is crucial that specific information is clarified so that the campaign and its followers can take steps in the direction of effective intervention and aid.

The AYF-WR would also like to address that its only official outlets for the #SaveKessab campaign operate under “AYFWest” social media accounts and www.ayfwest.org. Any merchandise found online is unofficial and we discourage purchasing such merchandise as the proceeds cannot be tracked. At this time of crisis, our united efforts are critical.

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

 

Watch the video of the discussion below