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  • Rally campaigns come together to stop genocides

    Watertown TAB & Press, MA
    April 28 2006

    Rally campaigns come together to stop genocides

    By Melody Hanatani/ Belmont Citizen-Herald
    Friday, April 28, 2006 - Updated: 11:04 AM EST


    A new coalition of diverse local ethnic groups kicked off an
    anti-genocide campaign with a rally at the State House last Friday,
    following the annual Armenian genocide anniversary commemoration.

    The group, called kNOw Genocide, includes 10 organizations such
    as Rwanda Outlook, the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association and
    the Jewish Community Relations Council.

    On his way from the ceremony to the rally, state Sen. Steven
    Tolman, D-Boston, talked about why the coalition was formed.

    "Today is a reaction of a diverse group to the lawsuit about the
    denial of the Turks that this [genocide] even happened," he said,
    referring to a lawsuit seeking to introduce materials denying the
    genocide into the statewide curriculum.

    In listing the genocides that have occurred over the past 100
    years, such as Armenia, Bosnia and Cambodia, U.S. Rep Edward Markey,
    D-7th, called on President George W. Bush to recognize the genocides
    in Armenia and Darfur.

    "Don't forget Palestine, Markey," said one protester. "It's been
    too long for them, too."

    The protester was later escorted farther down Beacon Street,
    where he continued to yell at the speakers.

    Attorney General Tom Reilly, a Watertown resident and
    gubernatorial hopeful, said the pending case in Boston is not about
    limiting free speech. He said the only way to find a more just and
    peaceful future is to face the "ugly truth of our past."

    State Rep. Peter Koutoujian, D-Waltham, announced new "landmark"
    legislation would be filed this week to force the state to divest
    from any country where genocide occurs. He said the legislation would
    be the first of its kind in the country, and hopes it will be a model
    for other states.

    Markey said earlier that the legislation would "ratchet up
    pressure on the Bush administration to take a firmer stand in
    Darfur."

    According to some humanitarian groups, about 400,000 people have
    died in the Darfur region of Sudan.

    Belmont resident Heather Krafian, a teacher at Muraco Elementary
    School in Winchester, is a granddaughter of Armenian genocide
    survivors. She spoke about the importance of teaching about the
    genocide in the schools.

    She spoke out against the denial of the genocide, and said it has
    become the modus operandi of the Turkish government. She said there
    is no doubt among scholars and experts that the Armenian genocide
    occurred.

    "The thread of lies Turkey has woven for 91 years is slowly
    beginning to unravel," said Krafian. "The fabric of denial has become
    torn and tattered. The truth will not be killed, but will prevail."
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