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Armenian National Committee-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Tel: (818) 500-1918
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
August 13, 2010
Contact: Tamar Baboujian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
ANCA-WR AND AYF ADVOCATE FOR ARMENIAN AMERICAN TAXI DRIVERS STRUGGLING TO
KEEP THEIR JOBS IN SANTA MONICA
SANTA MONICA, CA---The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
(ANCA-WR) and the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) are working with Armenian
American taxi companies who were refused operational rights by a Santa
Monica City Council Taskforce, through a recommendation which would allow
the franchise of only five taxi companies to operate within the City. The
Santa Monica City Council is scheduled to vote on this recommendation in
September.
"When we were approached about this issue a few weeks back, we did a
thorough investigation about the process used by the bureaucrats in Santa
Monica in awarding franchises," said Armen Martin, a board member of the
ANCA-WR. "That investigation has left us with significant worries about a
flawed and potentially discriminatory process. We intend to follow up with
Santa Monica city officials as well as other representatives of the area to
advocate on behalf of the nearly 300 Armenian American families which will
lose their primary source of income if this decision is not reversed."
"The fact that 6 out of 13 applicants were owned or operated by Armenian
Americans and not a single one of them was recommended to win a franchise,
speaks volumes," said Serouj Aprahamian, Executive Director of the AYF.
"When you look into it on a deeper level and you see that some of these
Armenian American taxi companies had substantially longer operating
histories and were stronger companies than some of the companies which were
recommended, it certainly raises a concern that the Armenian American owned
companies were intentionally discriminated against."
The ANCA-WR and AYF are planning to meet with Santa Monica City Council
members in the coming weeks, to share their concern about the unjustified
recommendation.
"We are incredibly grateful that the ANCA-WR and AYF have taken such an
interest on this issue," said Elen Poghosyan of VIP Yellow Cab. "We look
forward in working together to help save the livelihoods of over 300
Armenian families in Los Angeles."
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest
Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United
States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and
supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations
around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian
American community on a broad range of issues.
Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation, with chapters throughout the
United States and affiliated organizations around the world, has grown to
become the largest Armenian American youth organization. Inspired by the
past and motivated by the needs of the future, the AYF actively strives to
advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of all
Armenian youth.
From: A. Papazian
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Tel: (818) 500-1918
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
August 13, 2010
Contact: Tamar Baboujian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
ANCA-WR AND AYF ADVOCATE FOR ARMENIAN AMERICAN TAXI DRIVERS STRUGGLING TO
KEEP THEIR JOBS IN SANTA MONICA
SANTA MONICA, CA---The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
(ANCA-WR) and the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) are working with Armenian
American taxi companies who were refused operational rights by a Santa
Monica City Council Taskforce, through a recommendation which would allow
the franchise of only five taxi companies to operate within the City. The
Santa Monica City Council is scheduled to vote on this recommendation in
September.
"When we were approached about this issue a few weeks back, we did a
thorough investigation about the process used by the bureaucrats in Santa
Monica in awarding franchises," said Armen Martin, a board member of the
ANCA-WR. "That investigation has left us with significant worries about a
flawed and potentially discriminatory process. We intend to follow up with
Santa Monica city officials as well as other representatives of the area to
advocate on behalf of the nearly 300 Armenian American families which will
lose their primary source of income if this decision is not reversed."
"The fact that 6 out of 13 applicants were owned or operated by Armenian
Americans and not a single one of them was recommended to win a franchise,
speaks volumes," said Serouj Aprahamian, Executive Director of the AYF.
"When you look into it on a deeper level and you see that some of these
Armenian American taxi companies had substantially longer operating
histories and were stronger companies than some of the companies which were
recommended, it certainly raises a concern that the Armenian American owned
companies were intentionally discriminated against."
The ANCA-WR and AYF are planning to meet with Santa Monica City Council
members in the coming weeks, to share their concern about the unjustified
recommendation.
"We are incredibly grateful that the ANCA-WR and AYF have taken such an
interest on this issue," said Elen Poghosyan of VIP Yellow Cab. "We look
forward in working together to help save the livelihoods of over 300
Armenian families in Los Angeles."
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest
Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United
States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and
supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations
around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian
American community on a broad range of issues.
Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation, with chapters throughout the
United States and affiliated organizations around the world, has grown to
become the largest Armenian American youth organization. Inspired by the
past and motivated by the needs of the future, the AYF actively strives to
advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of all
Armenian youth.
From: A. Papazian