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AYF: LA Protest Attracts 5000 at Turkish Consulate

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  • AYF: LA Protest Attracts 5000 at Turkish Consulate

    PRESS RELEASE
    Armenian Youth Federation
    Western United States
    104 N. Belmont St. Suite 206
    Glendale, CA 91206
    Contact: Raffi Semerdjian
    Tel: 818.507.1933
    Fax: 818.240.3442
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Web: http://www.ayfwest.org

    Protest Attracts 5000 at Turkish Consulate

    Los Angeles, CA - The Armenian Youth Federation Western United States Garo
    Madenlian Public Affairs Office announced that close to 5000 protestors
    gathered at the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles Saturday afternoon
    demanding Turkish recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

    The youthful crowd of protestors picketed across two blocks of Wilshire
    Blvd. With such signs as `Genocide Unpunished is Genocide Encouraged,' and
    `Turkey stop historical Revisionism.'

    "The Canadian government officially recognized the Armenian Genocide earlier
    this week," said Sevag Garabetian, Director of the Protest. "We are thankful
    for their ability to classify truth and justice above special interests and
    are hopeful that our government, here in the US, will follow suit shortly,'
    explained Garabetian.

    About two hours after marching on Wilshire Blvd. the protestors gathered in
    front of the Turkish Consulate, where Vicken Sosikian, chairman of the AYF
    Western Region addressed the crowd from atop of a cargo truck, make shift
    stage.

    Emphasizing on the fact that over 80% of the gathered protestors were youth,
    Sosikian said that this generation, along with future generations of
    Armenian American youth will continue its demands for the return of Western
    Armenia, proper reparations, and justice.

    The protest, which has been organized for the last thirty years attracted
    all major broadcast and print media and concluded with the singing of the
    Armenian National Anthem.

    The success of the protest can be credited to a committee of about 10 AYF
    members planning the protest for over five months and over 100 AYF members
    helping with crowd control,' said Marie Minassian, chairperson of the
    Protest Organizing Committee. `The protest is one of many forms of political
    activism organized by the AYF throughout the course of the year,' explained
    Minassian.

    The Armenian Youth Federation Western United States serves Armenian American
    communities west of the Mississippi through education, athletics, political
    activism, cultural activities and social settings. To learn more about the
    AYF please log on to www.AYFwest.org.

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