Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

SOAD Press For Genocide Recognition During 3-day DC Advocacy Tour

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • SOAD Press For Genocide Recognition During 3-day DC Advocacy Tour

    SYSTEM OF A DOWN PRESS FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION DURING
    THREE-DAY WASHINGTON, DC ADVOCACY TOUR


    WASHINGTON, MAY 8, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. Serj Tankian and
    John Dolmayan of the Grammy Award-winning band System of a Down raised
    awareness, garnered national press attention on the Armenian Genocide
    and pressed legislators for action on legislation condemning this
    crime during their three-day advocacy tour of the nation's capital,
    reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). Among the
    highlights of the visit were the following: - An unscheduled meeting
    with Speaker Dennis Hastert, during which Serj reminded the Speaker
    about the band's past attempts to arrange a meeting to discuss the
    Armenian Genocide, briefed him about their ongoing positive meetings
    with legislators, and pointed out that the fate of Armenian Genocide
    legislation rested in the Speaker's hands. The Speaker noted that he
    hadn't looked at the band's letter yet, but promised to read it. - A
    series of strategy meetings with legislators on both the House and
    Senate sides of the Capitol. Among those they met with concerning the
    adoption of Armenian Genocide legislation were Chief Deputy Whip Eric
    Cantor (R-VA), Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO); Congressmen George
    Radanovich (R-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), the lead authors of Armenian
    Genocide legislation before the U.S. House; Congressman Frank Pallone
    (D-NJ), the Co-Chairman of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, and;
    Representatives Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) and Devin Nunes (R-CA). - The
    opportunity to meet dozens of legislators, including House Rules
    Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-CA), at the ANCA's annual Armenian
    Genocide observance on Capitol Hill on April 26th. This remembrance,
    which drew 40 Senators and Representatives, featured the presentation
    of the ANCA's 'Voice of Justice' Award to System of a Down. The band
    members were joined at this event by David Alpay, the star of Atom
    Egoyan's groundbreaking film on the Armenian Genocide, "Ararat." - The
    first-ever screening, on April 25th, of excerpts from "Screamers," a
    powerful and innovative new film by Carla Garapedian about the band's
    efforts to secure justice for the Armenian Genocide. The film, which
    was enthusiastically received by the Capitol Hill audience, was
    followed by an extensive question and answer session. - A series of
    media interviews, including an April 25th hour-long on-air discussion
    about the Armenian Genocide on DC-101's "Elliot in the Morning" show,
    Washington, DC's leading morning radio program. - Stories about their
    advocacy tour appeared in influential publications across Capitol Hill
    and around the country, including the Los Angeles Times and the
    Gannett News Service. Congressional Quarterly, the highly regarded
    weekly publication, ran a story quoting Serj Tankian stressing that,
    "for the government to still deny this historical truth is an absolute
    travesty." The Hill, an influential Congressional publication, quoted
    John Dolmayan as saying that he would continue his work until Congress
    recognizes the genocide: "Even a blade of grass can break through
    concrete, and I'd rather be the grass than the concrete." - Serj and
    John both took part in an April 24th anti-denial rally outside the
    Turkish Embassy organized by the ANCA and Armenian Youth Federation.
    Prominent among the more than 1,000 participants in the rally was
    Alecko Eskandarian, star forward of the DC United soccer team.
Working...
X