Tweet
VIZA JOINS ANCA, AYF, AND CYPRUS ACTION NETWORK TO EDUCATE AND ACTIVATE YOUTH THROUGH MUSIC
Asbarez
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
NEW YORK - On May 21st and 22nd the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA) Eastern Region, Armenian Youth Federation, and Cyprus
Action Network teamed up with the music rock band "VIZA" to educate
and activate concert-goers about current efforts to end U.S.
complicity in Turkey's denial of the Armenian Genocide and end Turkey's
illegal occupation of Cyprus. The organizations joined VIZA at concerts
in New York City and Philadelphia, and had an opportunity to reach
out and mobilize a primarily young crowd.
"Art and music have a history of being at the forefront of social
change," said K'noup, lead singer of VIZA. "We're always looking
forward to working with organizations that are making positive social
change. The groups joining us on our East Coast tour work on issues
that the band members hold a deep connection to - with myself being
Greek and five of them Armenian."
The ANCA Eastern Region gathered signatures around the Armenian
Genocide Resolution in the Senate. "By reaching out to people outside
of our standard methods we continue to see that Armenian Genocide
recognition is something that all Americans care about - it is not
just an Armenian issue as some claim." said Garo Manjikian, Eastern
Region Director of the ANCA. "The signatures we gathered will be sent
to Senators who have not yet cosponsored the Senate Armenian Genocide
Resolution." The list includes Pennsylvania Senators Arlen Spector and
Robert Casey Jr. and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Spearheaded
by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and John Ensign (R-NV), S.Res.316
currently has 17 cosponsors.
"It was a rewarding experience to join the ANCA table at the VIZA
concert, not only to enjoy the unique musical experience of this Greek
and Armenian band and meet the many Greek and Armenian VIZA fans,
but also to support the cause - recognition of the Armenian Genocide
and the issue of Turkey's impunity and continued aggression to its
neighbors," said Nikoloas Taneris, Founder of Cyprus Action Network
of America (CANA).
CANA gathered petition signatures calling for the arrest of Turkish
settler Kenan Akin, who is wanted by the Cypriot police and has an
Interpol warrant for his arrest. Akin murdered young Greek-Cypriot
demonstrator Solomos Solomou who was attempting to take down the
Turkish flag from a flagpole during a peaceful anti-occupation
demonstration. "The effort to bring him to justice is especially
symbolic of what our people are going through. Akin has been an
official political 'candidate' as recently as last year in the illegal
Turkish-military-occupation regime that is recognized only by Turkey.
Not only has he escaped justice, he has publicly gloated over the
killing in recent interviews."
Long time activist and former Executive Director of Armenian National
Committee of America, Western Region, Andrew Kzirian plays the
oud (traditional Armenian instrument) for VIZA. Kzirian has been
instrumental in bringing activism into the band's mission. "I feel
that music and artistic expression is a fresh and appealing medium
for educating our youth, some of whom will inevitably serve as our
leaders of tomorrow," said Kzirian. "It is an effective supplement
to more conventional approaches to societal change and a valuable
way to educate the audience about what is going on the world."
Public support for Armenian Genocide Recognition continues to grow
through all parts of the country. Just recently the Armenian National
Committee of Georgia, led by the Agasarkisian family, passed two
Armenian Genocide Resolutions in the state legislature. Last week
the Armenian National Committee of Massachusetts announced that the
local coalition of anti-genocide activists surpassed their goal of
10,000 signatures on their online petition at change.org.
Picture - Garo Manjikian, ANCA Eastern Region Director and Nikoloas
Taneris, founder of CANA at VIZA concert in Knitting Factory, New York
From: A. Papazian
Asbarez
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
NEW YORK - On May 21st and 22nd the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA) Eastern Region, Armenian Youth Federation, and Cyprus
Action Network teamed up with the music rock band "VIZA" to educate
and activate concert-goers about current efforts to end U.S.
complicity in Turkey's denial of the Armenian Genocide and end Turkey's
illegal occupation of Cyprus. The organizations joined VIZA at concerts
in New York City and Philadelphia, and had an opportunity to reach
out and mobilize a primarily young crowd.
"Art and music have a history of being at the forefront of social
change," said K'noup, lead singer of VIZA. "We're always looking
forward to working with organizations that are making positive social
change. The groups joining us on our East Coast tour work on issues
that the band members hold a deep connection to - with myself being
Greek and five of them Armenian."
The ANCA Eastern Region gathered signatures around the Armenian
Genocide Resolution in the Senate. "By reaching out to people outside
of our standard methods we continue to see that Armenian Genocide
recognition is something that all Americans care about - it is not
just an Armenian issue as some claim." said Garo Manjikian, Eastern
Region Director of the ANCA. "The signatures we gathered will be sent
to Senators who have not yet cosponsored the Senate Armenian Genocide
Resolution." The list includes Pennsylvania Senators Arlen Spector and
Robert Casey Jr. and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Spearheaded
by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and John Ensign (R-NV), S.Res.316
currently has 17 cosponsors.
"It was a rewarding experience to join the ANCA table at the VIZA
concert, not only to enjoy the unique musical experience of this Greek
and Armenian band and meet the many Greek and Armenian VIZA fans,
but also to support the cause - recognition of the Armenian Genocide
and the issue of Turkey's impunity and continued aggression to its
neighbors," said Nikoloas Taneris, Founder of Cyprus Action Network
of America (CANA).
CANA gathered petition signatures calling for the arrest of Turkish
settler Kenan Akin, who is wanted by the Cypriot police and has an
Interpol warrant for his arrest. Akin murdered young Greek-Cypriot
demonstrator Solomos Solomou who was attempting to take down the
Turkish flag from a flagpole during a peaceful anti-occupation
demonstration. "The effort to bring him to justice is especially
symbolic of what our people are going through. Akin has been an
official political 'candidate' as recently as last year in the illegal
Turkish-military-occupation regime that is recognized only by Turkey.
Not only has he escaped justice, he has publicly gloated over the
killing in recent interviews."
Long time activist and former Executive Director of Armenian National
Committee of America, Western Region, Andrew Kzirian plays the
oud (traditional Armenian instrument) for VIZA. Kzirian has been
instrumental in bringing activism into the band's mission. "I feel
that music and artistic expression is a fresh and appealing medium
for educating our youth, some of whom will inevitably serve as our
leaders of tomorrow," said Kzirian. "It is an effective supplement
to more conventional approaches to societal change and a valuable
way to educate the audience about what is going on the world."
Public support for Armenian Genocide Recognition continues to grow
through all parts of the country. Just recently the Armenian National
Committee of Georgia, led by the Agasarkisian family, passed two
Armenian Genocide Resolutions in the state legislature. Last week
the Armenian National Committee of Massachusetts announced that the
local coalition of anti-genocide activists surpassed their goal of
10,000 signatures on their online petition at change.org.
Picture - Garo Manjikian, ANCA Eastern Region Director and Nikoloas
Taneris, founder of CANA at VIZA concert in Knitting Factory, New York
From: A. Papazian