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Hundreds Attend First West Coast "Armenians And Progressive Politics

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  • Hundreds Attend First West Coast "Armenians And Progressive Politics

    HUNDREDS ATTEND FIRST WEST COAST "ARMENIANS AND PROGRESSIVE
    POLITICS" CONFERENCE

    armradio.am
    11.06.2008 10:46

    Glendale became host to a historic forum, as renowned intellectuals
    and activists from around the world joined a few hundred socially
    conscious activists for a two-day symposium exploring modern issues
    of social justice and progressive politics.

    The event was the first of its kind on the West Coast and the 5th in
    a series organized by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. One of
    California's progressive radio stations, KPFK 90.7 FM (Radio Pacifica)
    and the Armenian Cultural Foundation cosponsored the event, which
    brought together renowned progressive artists, intellectuals and
    activists from South America, the United States and Armenia for a
    critical examination of modern social issues afflicting Armenians
    and the wider global community.

    The symposium also featured a number of the personalities heard on
    Radio Pacifica.

    The issues discussed traced the gamut from the war in Iraq and art's
    role in raising social consciousness to women's rights, socio-economic
    conditions in Armenia, the local labor movement and corporate influence
    in the media, all the while presenting them inboth an Armenian and
    global perspective.

    "The point of the conference is to raise social consciousness,"
    said organizing committee member Razmig Shirinian during his opening
    remarks.

    "Our organization [The ARF] was founded 118 years ago upon
    revolutionary and socialist ideas...and we must remind ourselves and
    the people that social and critical thinking is necessary--that we
    should never give up our ideals...and our fight for basic rights and
    social justice."

    For two days, individuals from all walks of life--community activists
    and business owners to public officials and parents, students and young
    professionals--came out to participate in a conference on progressive
    politics in the Armenian community. The event was an experiment to
    create dialogue regarding concepts and strategies that go beyond the
    conventional politics.

    The West Coast Armenians and Progressive Politics conference was the
    brainchild of a special organizing committee of the ARF Western US. The
    committee began organizing the symposium several months ago as a result
    of successes in similar conferences organized by the ARF Eastern US and
    ARF Argentina. According to the organizers, the goal of the conference
    was to create a forum for Southern California's Armenian American
    Community to discuss and debate progressive politics and social issues.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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