AYF Participates In International Youth Conference In Dominican Republic

XXVII IUSY World Congress Convenes in Santo Domingo
Los Angeles- The Armenian Youth Federation recently participated in the three-day World Congress of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. IUSY, an international organization comprised of over 140 youth and student organizations, works to enhance principles of democratic socialism, fighting for equality, human rights and social justice.
The three-day World Congress of the IUSY was called to order with over 150 delegates representing 68 countries, including Armenia. Among keynote speakers during the Congress were leading Dominican Presidential candidate Miguel Vargas Maldonado and Secretary General of the Socialist International (SI) Luis Ayala.
AYF Western Region Central Executive member Vache Thomassian represented Armenia at the Congress, presenting a resolution calling for a peaceful settlement to the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict.
“It is important to reaffirm people’s right to self-determination and at the same time condemn belligerent rhetoric from the government of Azerbaijan” said Thomassian.
The World Congress entitled “People in Movement” highlighted topics including migrant workers’ rights, fair trade, gender equality and human trafficking. During the Congress AYF representatives participated in regional panel discussions with representatives from Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and Greece as well as Kurdish youth leaders.
“The world has quickly become a very small place. With globalization, we cannot escape the fact that things happening in one part of the world affect all others. The AYF is an international organization and it is important for us to interact and coordinate with young activist from around the globe, not only to further our cause but to work towards furthering international solidarity” concluded Thomassian.
For more information about IUSY please visit www.IUSY.org
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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ANC-WR Organizes Second Pubic Policy Forum Focusing on Media

Los Angeles, CA- The Armenian National Committee- Western Region (ANC-WR) held its second monthly Pubic Policy forum for the young activists of the Armenian Youth Federation- Western Region (AYF-WR). The forum was held on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 inside of the ANC-WR headquarters in Glendale, CA. The forum, which is monthly, focused on how to properly prepare a media advisory and a press release.
“Properly communicating with the media is a major part of good advocacy,” said Antranig Kzirian, ANC-WR Executive Director. “The ANC is committed to preparing the community’s youth for leadership in a constantly changing world,” he added.
Immediately following remarks and an explanation of media tools by Kzirian, participants formed groups to fashion media advisories for upcoming events and press releases of most recent events. The workshop atmosphere strongly encouraged attendees to take a proactive role in preparing media related documents.
“Educating the next generation of leaders on the importance of media will increase the knowledge of today’s youth, which will help farther the Armenian Cause,” stated Ishkhan Boghossian, an activist of the AYF-WR and ANC-WR. “We hope these monthly workshops will give insight to our youth on the importance of engaging government and media,” added Kzirian.
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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Berkeley City Council Calls Upon Congress To Advance The Armenian Genocide Resolution

Bay Area Activists Call for Justice
Berkeley, CA- The Berkeley City Council unanimously passed a resolution calling on the United States House of Representatives to advance H.Res.106, the Armenian Genocide Resolution, reported the San Francisco Bay Area Armenian National Committee (Bay Area ANC).
“Your action tonight will help send the message that Berkeley does not want our country to bow to foreign intimidation on a matter as fundamental as genocide,” said Bay Area ANC Chairwoman Roxanne Makasdjian in thanking the Council for adopting the resolution.
The measure was introduced by Councilman Kriss Worthington, who worked with the Bay Area ANC in drafting the language for the resolution. A number of Armenian Americans were on hand and spoke during the public comment portion of the Council meeting, including members of the Armenian Youth Federation and the University of California Berkeley Armenian Student Association.
“I’m glad to see Berkeley once again stand up for human rights,” said Shant Hagopian, a UC Berkeley student and Bay Area ANC activist. “This resolution is one more step forward on the path to justice.”
Over the few weeks following the House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ passage of H.Res.106 on October 10, 2007, the Armenian Genocide captured the attention of US leaders and policymakers in an unprecedented fashion. Despite tremendous pressure put on Representatives by the Turkish government to withdraw their co-sponsorship of the resolution, an overwhelming number of members of Congress continue to support H.Res.106.
H.Res.106 “call[s] upon the President to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide.” The resolution is necessary now due to the Turkish government’s increasingly aggressive campaign of genocide denial, including demands that the US government join Turkey in denying the Armenian Genocide.
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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Armenian Youth Federation Remembers The Assassination Of Hrant Dink

Marks one year since brutal murder of journalist
Los Angeles- The Armenian Youth Federation of the Western United States joins the international community in remembering the murder of Hrant Dink and condemning the continual oppression of Armenians in the Republic of Turkey. The racially motivated murder of Hrant Dink, the Istanbul-based Armenian journalist shot in front of the offices of his newspaper Agos, brought to a head the growing anti-Armenian sentiment within Turkey stemming from discussion of the Armenian Genocide.
“The murder of Hrant Dink was an explicit example of the Turkish society’s refusal to come to terms with its Genocidal history. The government’s use of laws such as Article 301 to prosecute anyone talking about the Armenian Genocide creates an atmosphere of hatred and intolerance; leading to acts of brutal violence such as the assassination of Dink,” said AYF Central Executive Chairperson Caspar Jivalagian.
Dink, who criticized the treatment of minorities within Turkey, as well as the government’s denial of the Armenian Genocide, was gunned down by a 17 year old ultranationalist youth one year ago, shocking the entire world. The investigation into the planning and execution of the murder continues to this very date.
“The Armenian Genocide, begun over 90 years ago, continues today as Armenians continue to live in fear with our history denied,” Jivalagian concluded.
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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Presidential Candidate Answers Questions From Armenian Youth

AYF Hosts Town Hall Meeting with Vahan Hovannesian
Los Angeles- The Armenian Youth Federation of the Western United States was pleased to welcome 2008 Armenian Presidential Candidate Vahan Hovannesian to Ferrahian High School on Sunday to meet with Armenian-American youth and answer questions they had regarding current issues affecting Armenia as well as the Diaspora.
In his opening remarks Mr. Hovannesian emphasized that meeting with the youth was the most valuable meeting he had during his weeklong visit to the United States, simply because the youth are the future of our nation. Hovannesian, who is currently the Vice Chairman of the Armenian National Assembly, as well as an ARF Bureau member, addresses a crowd of over 150 youth in an unprecedented discussion session.
“For the first time, we have an Armenian presidential candidate who has recognized the importance of the Diaspora, especially the youth, and who has taken the time to talk to them” noted attendee Talar Boyajian.
During the 2 hour gathering AYF Central Executive member Tro Krikorian posed questions to Mr. Hovannesian, submitted by AYF members in advance. Audience members were also given an opportunity to submit additional questions on the spot. The topics addressed were on a broad range of issues, from the new laws pertaining to dual citizenship, to corruption in Armenian government, to the Karabagh peace process.
“Continually engaging our youth and our student community to learn more, ask more and demand more from our leadership in Armenia is one way we can secure a brighter future for our homeland” asserted AYF Central Executive Chairman Caspar Jivalagian. “We appreciate the foresight shown by Mr. Hovannesian in addressing concerns of the youth. Even though we will not be able to directly participate in the upcoming presidential elections, we will certainly continue to concern ourselves with the issues that affect Armenians and the platforms of all potential leadership candidates” continued Jivalagian.
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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Los Angeles community protests ADL National Director Abe Foxman’s Armenian Genocide denial at Beverly Hills event

BEVERYLY HILLS, CA — In response to an event hosted by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in Beverly Hills, the Armenian Youth Federation-Western Region (AYF-WR) and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Shant Student Association joined Jewcy Media in protesting ADL National Director Abraham Foxman for his continued Armenian Genocide denial. For many years, the ADL, working on behalf of the Turkish government, has refused to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and even lobbied on behalf of the Government of Turkey to prevent American governmental legislation affirming the Armenian Genocide.
Protesters held signs calling out Foxman and in statements read to the public, urged the ADL to return to its core humanitarian values in which the organization professes. Those attending the ADL event saw the protesters and signs as they entered the hotel. Several passersby asked about the protest and voiced their disagreement with Foxman.
Braving the bitter cold evening to join the protesters was Ghazaros Kademian, a 100 year old survivor of the Armenian Genocide. In a statement read by his family, he spoke about his family’s loss during the genocide and called on the US Government to swiftly adopt H.Res.106, the Armenian Genocide resolution.
Joey Kurtzman, Executive Editor of Jewcy Media, highlighted the growing awareness among the Jewish community regarding the ADL’s hypocritical stance on the Armenian Genocide and the dismay Foxman’s genocide denial is causing within the community. Jewcy Media is an online, progressive Jewish community magazine and forum.
Speaking on behalf of the AYF-WR, Arek Santikian pointed to a history of the ADL posted on its website in which the ADL professes to have learned in the 1920s that “the welfare of any one minority was intertwined with the welfare of all,” and urged today’s ADL leaders to reacquaint themselves with this lesson from their own past.
This year, under pressure from the New England community, the ADL issued a highly ambiguous statement regarding the Armenian genocide. It stated that the “consequences” of events in Turkey were “tantamount to genocide.” This duplicitous statement sidestepped the legal definition of genocide by avoiding any language that would imply intent, a critical part of the 1948 UN Genocide treaty.
In the same statement, the ADL reiterated its opposition to H.Res.106, calling it “a counterproductive diversion.” The ADL then apologized to the Prime Minister of Turkey for having put his government “in a difficult position,” expressing its “sorrow over what we have caused for the leadership and people of Turkey.” No apology has been offered to date to Armenian Genocide survivors and their heirs.
Summarizing the ironic danger posed by Foxman’s Armenian Genocide denial, Santikian noted, “his denial is a betrayal not only of the Jewish community, but is counterproductive to the ADL’s mission as his denial is empowering the next generation of Holocaust deniers who now see Foxman as a role model.”
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AYF Rally in Hollywood Calls on Congress to Pass Genocide Resolution

HOLLYWOOD–More than a thousand Armenian American’s and human rights activists gathered in Little Armenia Sunday afternoon for a peaceful rally calling on Congress to pass the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res. 106).
Organized by the Armenian Youth Federation Western Region, “Rally 106: United Voices for the Armenian Genocide Resolution” was a nationwide rally held in conjunction with AYF chapters in Phoenix, Houston, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. Speaking at the rally were Reverand Vicken Vasilian of the Western Prelacy, AYF-WR Chairman Caspar Jivalagian, California Assemblymember Kevin DeLeon, ANC-WR Executive Director Antranig Kzirian, former ANCA Executive Director Seto Boyadjian and Glendale School board President Gerg Krikorian. The event was MCed by Berj Parseghian an AYF activist.
“Freedom of speech is what makes America shine as a beacon of freedom around the world, yet Turkey prosecutes its own citizens for speaking the truth and is now trying to silence Congress–the voice of the American people–through coercion and blackmail,” said Jivalagian, who gave the opening speech at the rally. “Turkey is trying to export their laws against freedom of speech to our country and we won’t stand for that.”
California State Assemblymember Kevin DeLeon, who represents the Little Armenia neighborhood of Hollywood also spoke at the rally and expressed his longstanding support of the just cause of the Armenian-American community.
“The message of the rally was simple,” said Arek Santikian, an AYF activist. “Turkey is neither a reliable ally nor a democracy. They riot against us in Europe, burn our flags in their nation’s capital, blackmail our representatives into submission and threaten the security of our troops abroad.”
“It’s time we as Americans realize that the most reliable allies America has are its citizens,” he added. “And as American citizens, we want our congress to take a firm stand against genocide and pass H.Res. 106.”
“By holding this rally in support of the genocide resolution we are supporting human rights and justice, two fundamental American values,” said Ishkhan Boghossian, the director of the Los Angeles area rally and an AYF activist. “We are going to stand firm against any attempt by a foreign government 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,” he added.
“It is important to note that the truth is a powerful thing,” stated Kzirian. “We will continue to work diligently with Members of Congress to pass H. Res. 106,” he added.
“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-Hilliard, and DLA Piper to lobby Members of Congress and persuade them to vote against the Armenian Genocide resolution. While 100,000 Turkish soldiers stand at the Iraqi border ready to recieve the go-ahead by Ankara to wage military opperations against the Kurds in Northern Iraq, the only stable region of Iraq.
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AYF Holds Vigil at ADL Headquarters

NEW YORK–In an effort to raise awareness of genocide denial, the Armenian Youth Federation of
New York held Monday a candlelight vigil in front of the national headquarters of the Anti-Defamation League in Manhattan.
The vigil specifically addressed the ADL’s efforts at preventing US Congressional affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. AYF New York Chairman Justin Kaladjian said, “Any organization which assists Turkey in denying the Armenian Genocide, will be confronted by the AYF, no matter how ‘respectable’ it
might make itself out to be.”
ANC of New York Chairman Doug Geogerian commended the AYF for “coming in force and standing up to one of the most influential organizations in our society, all in defense of the Armenian Cause. The AYF courageously represented the New York area Armenian community.”
The vigil served as a prelude to a larger rally to be held Thursday evening at the same location (605 3rd Ave., New York, NY). According to
Geogerian, a multi-ethnic array of musicians, comedians, commentators, scholars and activists will speak about the ADL’s morally bankrupt policy on the Armenian Genocide and why it must change.
The ADL will hold its national convention this Thursday and Friday in New York City at an undisclosed location. During the convention, ADL delegates will address the controversy of its failure to support congressional affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. The ADL has seen its anti-bias program “No Place for Hate” come under fire in recent months, as six Massachusetts towns-Watertown, Newton, Belmont, Arlington, Lexington and Westwood-have severed ties with the ADL over the organization’s role in denying the Armenian Genocide. The website
www.noplacefordenial.org provides comprehensive information on the campaign waged by Armenian activists in Massachusetts.
The Jewish on-line magazine Jewcy and the No Place for Denial team are organizing Thursday’s event, where music and speeches will highlight the ADL’s unsavory position regarding the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian National Committee of Eastern U.S. is a co-sponsor.
“Youthful representatives of two ancient peoples will hit the pavement to demand that the ADL come down on the right side of a key human rights issue: unqualified opposition to genocide denial,” said ANC Eastern Region Board Member Sevag Arzoumanian. “Spontaneous, irreverent, unscripted, a celebration of Jewish-Armenian solidarity, hard hitting political messages transmitted through irony, parody and verse…impromptu speeches and chants…that is what people should expect and contribute to.”
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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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