AYF West Archives - Page 3 of 53 - Armenian Youth Federation

AYF Burbank Set to Host Annual Art Exhibition

(BURBANK, Calif., July 22, 2015) – The Armenian Youth Federation – Burbank “Varak” Chapter is excited to announce its third annual art exhibition to be held on Saturday, August 8 at 7 pm at the ACF Burbank Youth Center, located at 75 East Santa Anita Ave in Burbank.

Being that art has significantly impacted our culture, the art exhibition aims to showcase the talent individuals acquire to keep our culture rich and prosperous. All local artists are encouraged to submit and showcase their work. Paintings, drawings, photographs and sculptures will all be accepted.

“We are looking forward to hosting this art exhibition for our community again this year,” said Leana Tossonian, chairperson of the committee organizing the event. “This exhibition has grown and evolved into a wonderful opportunity for aspiring artists to gain exposure and to connect with other artists, while giving our community a night to appreciate art.”

Last year, over 100 pieces of art were showcased in the exhibition. The Burbank “Varak” Chapter is looking forward to showcasing a variety of art pieces in several different mediums this year, in the newly constructed Liberty Hall at the Burbank Youth Center.

To submit artwork, please email varakartsow@ayfwest.org.

Admission to the event is free and open to the public.

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.

July 23, 2015/0 Comments/by admin

AYF West

#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.

June 19, 2015/0 Comments/by admin

AYF Events, AYF West

AYF Announces Partnership with the Glendale Fire Department

(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

June 10, 2015/0 Comments/by admin

AYF Events, AYF West, Divest Turkey

UC Santa Cruz Student Government Votes to Divest from Turkey

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.

June 5, 2015/0 Comments/by admin

AYF Events, AYF Juniors, AYF West

Young Armenians Make a Pledge of Service

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.”

June 4, 2015/0 Comments/by admin

AYF West, Divest Turkey

UC Riverside Student Government Passes Turkey Divestment Measure

RIVERSIDE, Calif.—The Associated Student Body Government of the University of California, Riverside on Wednesday voted unanimously to divest approximately $72.6 million in bonds and holdings in the Turkish government.

“By investing $70 million in Turkish bonds, the UC system is supporting a human rights violation that the Turkish government has denied for a century. It is important that we support this divestment revolution because it shows that UC Riverside takes a strong stance against the perpetuation of genocides,” said Armenian Student Association member Petros Keosoian.

The resolution aims to divest the funds from the Turkish government “for it’s role in and the continued denial of the Armenian genocide”.

“This marks another step in the Armenian community’s call for divestment from the Republic of Turkey, following in the steps of UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, and UC Davis,” said Seto Cherchian, a member of the UC Riverside ASA and an activist from the Armenian Youth Federation.

Wednesday’s vote marks the fifth divestment resolution passed at a University of California Campus. Just last week student governments UC Irvine and UC Davis joined their peers at UCLA and UC Berkeley in passing similar resolutions. Moreover, just last month, ASUCI unanimously passed A resolution “Commemorating the Armenian Genocide and Condemning its Denial,” raising further awareness on campus about the Armenian Genocide and its need for international recognition.

May 14, 2015/0 Comments/by admin

100 Days, AYF Events, AYF West

Socialist Youth World Council Hosted by AYF Calls for Armenian Genocide Reparations, Recognition

More than 160 youth gathered in Yerevan for the 2015 IUSY World Council. (Photo: Patil Aslanian)

YEREVAN—The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) World Council unanimously passed a resolution on the Armenian Genocide Centennial, demanding reparations for the crime, condemning its denial and dedicating to educate IUSY member organizations about the crime worldwide. The World Council, which took place in Yerevan and was hosted by the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) of Armenia, adopted the resolution on May 9.

The resolution, which was proposed collectively by the AYF, states that IUSY — the world’s largest youth organization — supports the “Armenian people’s struggle for the recognition and reparation of the Armenian Genocide by calling upon Turkey to start an immediate process of eliminating the consequences of the Armenian Genocide and initiate a process of restoring the rights of the Armenian people.” It also notes that “IUSY believes this is the only reliable road to reconciliation of the two countries and nations.”

“The unanimous passage amplifies international pressure on Republic of Turkey to begin the reparations process,” said Razmig Sarkissian who is in Yerevan representing AYF Western United States. “This victory also represents the full spectrum of the AYF’s work for Armenian genocide justice, from the global political arena as an IUSY member to the local with grassroot campaigns such as Divest Turkey and the 100 Days of Action.”

Titled, “An Equal World Is Possible,” the IUSY World Council includes participants from 60 countries, with over 160 delegates representing various socialist youth organizations, in addition to over two dozen AYF representatives from Armenia, Artsakh, and the Diaspora.

IUSY delegates paying their respects at the Armenian Genocide Memorial at Dzidernagapert (Photo: Patil Aslanian)

“The IUSY delegates represent the future leadership of their respective political parties and nations,” said Garo Chadoian, one of AYF’s official representatives to the World Council. “When they return from Armenia, they will put pressure on their political parties and nations to recognize the Armenian Peoples’ demand for reparations and genocide justice.”

Earlier that day, participants of the council paid their respects to the 1.5 million victims of the genocide at the Armenian Genocide Memorial at Dzidernagapert. They also visited touristic sites and museums in Yerevan to educate the delegates of Armenia’s ancient history as well as the post-Soviet nation’s current development and innovations.

Chadoian added that Armenians will now be further exposed to socialist values in action and see that socialism and social democracy are in the best interest of the Armenian people and Armenia’s development, as hundreds of socialist youth take up the mantle of Armenian cause.

Other special guests who made remarks throughout the weekend included Socialist International Vice-President Mario Nalbandian, who is a former Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau member; IUSY President Felipe Jeldres; IUSY Secretary General Evin Incir; and Giacomo Filibec of the Party of European Socialists.

Below is the text of the resolution:

***

PROPOSAL BY THE ARMENIAN YOUTH FEDERATION (AYF)

Resolution on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY), being a faithful follower of the principles of justice, democracy, equality, and human rights, reaffirms its position on the Armenian Genocide as the world commemorates the 100th anniversary of the first Genocide of the 20th century.

The Armenian Genocide opened a whole new circle of genocides that were encouraged by the impunity of the perpetrators of the first genocide as well as inspired by its techniques and genocidal methods.

Genocide is a crime under international law contrary to the spirit and aims of the IUSY. This is why:

IUSY condemns the genocide against the Armenian people which was planned and carried out by the Ottoman Empire and various regimes in Turkey in 1915-23. During these years more than 1.5 million Armenians, living in their ancestral homeland (what is largely known as Eastern Turkey today), were brutally exterminated; their heritage was confiscated and largely destructed. The small number of Armenians who survived was spread all over the world.

IUSY strongly condemns the denial of the Armenian Genocide by the Turkish government as well as all the attempts of the Republic of Turkey to mute and bribe every initiative that is aimed at the recognition and reparation of the Armenian Genocide. IUSY believes that the denial of the genocide is a double crime that ought to be punished and has nothing in common with the right of freedom of expression.

IUSY supports the Armenian Youth Federation’s (AYF) and the Armenian people’s struggle for the recognition and reparation of the Armenian Genocide by calling upon Turkey to start an immediate process of eliminating the consequences of the Armenian Genocide and initiate a process of restoration of the rights of the Armenian people. IUSY believes this is the only reliable road to reconciliation of the two countries and nations.

IUSY sees education as one of the most vital and constructive ways of fighting any form of extremism. With this, we call upon our member organizations to spread the knowledge of the Armenian Genocide, because only by knowing and condemning past genocides can we prevent new ones from taking place.

May 12, 2015/0 Comments/by admin

100 Days, AYF Events, AYF West, Divest Turkey

UC Davis Student Government Passes Resolution Calling for Divestment from Turkey

DAVIS, Calif. — On Thursday, May 7th, the student government at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), with a vote of 2 abstains and 10 yes’, passed “A Resolution to Divest from the Republic of Turkey to End the Perpetuation of the Armenian Genocide”. The resolution ultimately called for UC Davis 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 Davis, 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.

“One important aspect of life is memory. Human’s having the ability to carry their memories and pass them through generations is essential for history, science, and for life in general. Some memories carry positive and happy thoughts, while others carry a heavy burden. In the memories of many Armenians, the burden is still being carried,” said Vahe Sargsyan, a third-year Political Science major, minoring in human rights. “Feelings of anger and disappointment arose within me when I found out the University of California invests over $70 million dollars in the Turkish government. As it seems, UC campuses are implicitly involved in Turkey’s systematic denial campaign of the Armenian Genocide. I am glad to see the UC Davis student government, along with other UC student governments, taking on the initiative to divest from a systematic genocide denying country such as Turkey.”

Along with the citations of the UC’s investments in Turkey, the resolution cited the massacres of the 1915 Armenian Genocide as well as the current Republic of Turkey’s continuous genocide denial campaigns and efforts to hide its crimes against humanity. The resolution also cited how the California State Assembly Public Employment, Retirement, and Social Security (PERSS) recently voted to adopt Assembly Bill 1410 calling for divestment of the State of California’s investments in the Turkish government.

“The resolution I introduced has had many supporters along the way, including other Senators, community leaders and students. However, Turkish Divestment faced a unique challenge here at Davis,” said Sevan Nahabedian, a first year Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major, and also a member of the ASUCD Senate. “For the past four years the ASUCD Senate has seen three versions of a resolution urging the Regents to divest from companies that aid in Israel’s occupation of Palestine. Each time the topic has been polarizing and pitted one side of the Senate Table against the other. That resolution (most recently SR #9) passed earlier this year, but was overruled by the ASUCD Court for being unconstitutional. Those resolutions and incidents that followed caused a lot of pain to both the Jewish and the Palestinian communities on campus. When I introduced my resolution people were hesitant and feared it would be as politically divisive. We spent hours debating the language in the resolution making sure it was constitutional. A lot of effort has gone into passing this resolution and I am very proud to see UC Davis take a stand against Armenian Genocide denial.”

The student governments of UCLA, UC Berkeley and UC Irvine unanimously passed similar resolutions during January, February and May of this year. Moreover, just last month, ASUCI unanimously passed A resolution “Commemorating the Armenian Genocide and Condemning its Denial,” raising further awareness on campus about the Armenian Genocide and its need for international recognition.

“Following three successful divestment resolutions throughout the UC system, there was mounting pressure for UC Davis to follow suit and I am extremely proud to be a part of an institution that rightfully denounced Armenian Genocide denial,” said Tamar Tatoian, a third year Biological Sciences major and the UC Davis ASA President. “It is so important for our students to be educated about these human rights issues, and be knowledgeable about where their money is going and how that may be fueling denial campaigns. This issue is one that Armenian students and our allies have been plagued with our whole lives, and it is immensely important to me that we see progress within our lifetimes, and I am grateful to have been able to actively contribute to that progress through the divestment process.”

May 7, 2015/0 Comments/by admin

100 Days, AYF West, Divest Turkey

UC Irvine Student Government Passes Resolution Calling for Divestment from Turkey

IRVINE, Calif.—On Tuesday, the student government at the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine), 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 Irvine, the UC Irvine 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 Irvine, 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.

“As a descendant of the Armenian Genocide and a UC student, I was so angered and disappointed when I learned that the University of California, a public institution, invests over $70 million dollars in the Turkish government. These UC investment holdings in bonds directly issued in Turkish government ultimately, fund Turkish denialist propaganda and drive efforts of genocide denial,” said Carla Kekejian a third-year English and education sciences double-major at UCI. “Students’ tuition dollars- my tuition dollars- are being invested in the government that denies history and human right violations. I needed to present this resolution so that at least my student government, and my UC, was not complicit in the denial of the Armenian Genocide.”

“The UC System should divest from governments who still continue to oppress and deny their atrocities and actions towards another minority,” said Ovsanna Balian, a fourth year double-major in psychology and social behavior and education sciences at UCI.“UC Irvine’s calling of divestment from the Republic of Turkey means a lot to me because I can walk on campus and graduate comfortably knowing that my university wants to divest on the Turkish government. This action of divestment has the potential of decreasing the denial and investments by governments of this genocide and any other genocides. Not only am I presenting this resolution for myself and my family, but I am doing this for all my ancestors that suffered by the hands of the Young Turks.”

The student governments of UCLA and UC Berkeley unanimously passed similar resolutions during January and February of this year. Moreover, just last month, ASUCI unanimously passed A resolution “Commemorating the Armenian Genocide and Condemning its Denial,” raising further awareness on campus about the Armenian Genocide and its need for international recognition.

“The active erasure of Armenian histories and the Armenian genocide has gone on too long. As UC students we should be represented and have agency over where our money is going. Overall, as human beings we cannot allow for the investment into oppressive governments, beyond Armenian people,” said Kristine Jermakian a third-year pharmaceutical sciences and women’s’ studies double major at UCI. The stand against genocide is a human rights issue, not only a student issue, so pushing to divest makes a clear statement of this and a statement that we stand against all unethical investments.”

“As President of the Armenian Students’ Association at UC Irvine, I am very proud of both our Armenian and non-Armenian support we received in Orange County as well as the support of ASUCI, our student government council,” said Aram Akhverdyan fourth year biological sciences major at UCI. “Just because April 24th has passed, that does not mean our campaign for recognition of the Armenian Genocide should end. There are a wide range of ways we can continue the efforts and the passing of this divestment resolution was a significant one.”

May 6, 2015/0 Comments/by admin