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ANCA NEWS: ANC Joins Southland ASAs at Genocide Commemorations

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  • ANCA NEWS: ANC Joins Southland ASAs at Genocide Commemorations

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    Armenian National Committee of America - Western Region
    104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
    Glendale, California 91206
    Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
    [email protected] www.anca.org
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    PRESS RELEASE +++ PRESS RELEASE

    For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 2, 2006

    Contact: Maral Habeshian
    Tel: (818) 500-1918

    ANCA Helps Raise Awareness on Southland Campuses

    LOS ANGELES -- In a variety of student-organized events commemorating
    the Armenian Genocide, the ANCA joined southland Armenian Student
    Associations (ASA) to not only provide historical background on the
    issue, but also briefings about ongoing efforts of Armenian Genocide
    recognition, the importance of activism, as well as Turkey's ongoing
    campaign of denial.

    California State University, Northridge

    On Thursday, April 22, ANC Professional Network Executive Committee
    member Boghos Patatian, spoke at the annual candlelight vigil organized
    by the California State University, Northridge ASA. His message
    highlighted the duty of the college youth in seizing every opportunity
    to advance the Armenian community and the community-at-large.

    "This tremendous collection of young people should be commended for
    their achievements. It is both overwhelming and satisfying that these
    youth are not indifferent to the Armenian Cause. It is an honor to
    those who were denied an education because they perished during the
    Genocide, and the ANCA is proud to be able to help facilitate this
    through its direction and resources," noted Patatian.

    "I appreciated his emphasis that April 24 is not just one day,
    but that the Armenian Cause must be pursued every day of the year,"
    remarked Terenig Topjian about Patatian's address.

    Topjian, an officer and event organizer with the CSUN ASA, explained
    that when fellow students approach him asking about the Genocide,
    his confidence in the impact and importance of such events is simply
    reaffirmed. He stressed that the event received coverage by both the
    CSUN daily newspaper the "Sundial," and local television network KTLA.

    All Armenian Student Association

    ANCA Western Region board member Raffi Hamparian, delivered the keynote
    address at the annual All-Armenian Student Association commemoration
    on April 22. Organized by over a dozen ASAs throughout southern
    California colleges, the event, with the theme "a call to action,"
    was the subject of a lengthy article in Monday's edition of the UCLA
    Daily Bruin student newspaper.

    University of Southern California

    In addition to many community-wide events on April 24, the ANCA also
    joined the University of Southern California (USC) for its annual
    campus commemoration at Tommy Trojan, which featured ANCA Western
    Region board chairman Steve Dadaian.

    "Mr. Dadaian highlighted the Republic of Turkey's continued campaign
    of denial that not only targets our government, but our campuses as
    well," noted USC ASA officer Ruzan Antossyan, who was the day's emcee.

    The USC event featured exhibits covering the history of the Genocide
    as well as ANCA prepared petitions to key members of US House
    of Representative calling on a vote on pending Armenian Genocide
    legislation. "We reached out to a broad campus audience."

    Fellow USC ASA officer Mercedes Aline Arslanian enthusiastically said
    that nearly 300 petitions were signed. "When I see people genuinely
    interested in the program, and expressing increased interest about
    the Genocide and what they can do, I know we are succeeding."

    University of California Irvine

    ANC Orange County member Ara Malazian delivered the keynote address
    at the University of California Irvine (UCI) ASA's annual candlelight
    vigil that featured Genocide survivor Yeghsapet Garabedian, and drew
    numerous non-Armenian students. Malazian highlighted the importance
    of keeping the issue of justice for the Armenian Genocide at the
    forefront of the community's thoughts and actions.

    Though the event was disrupted by a few Turkish students shouting
    vulgar comments and waving the Turkish flag, campus police readily
    maintained order. "It means we are making a difference and raising
    awareness when they have to stoop to such levels," said UCI ASA Vice
    President Sarkis Abajian.

    Pointing to Malazian's address that emphasized Turkey's failure in
    attempting to destroy Armenians, Abajian said, "Sometimes we lose sight
    of the fact that we did survive and now thrive." And as a result,
    he explained that Armenians have made progress in pursuing justice for
    the Armenian Genocide. "There was more discussion and awareness about
    the genocide on campus this year. There were a lot of non-Armenian
    students who participated in the vigil. We are pushing forward."

    Not confined to college campuses, the ANCA also participated in a
    number of commemorations at local high schools and youth organizations
    including Grant HS, Calabasas HS, Ferrahian HS, and at the Homenetmen
    Glendale "Ararat" chapter's assembly.

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