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ARMENIAN-AMERICANS HOLD PROTEST AT WHITE HOUSE
PanARMENIAN.Net
April 24, 2012 - 10:33 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian-Americans from across the Greater Washington
area rallied in front of the White House just days before President
Obama's annual April 24 remarks, urging him to honor his pledge to
properly characterize the murder of 1.5 million Armenians by the
Ottoman Turkish Government as Genocide.
According to Asbarez, the protest was organized by the Armenian
Youth Federation "Ani" Chapter, in coordination with a coalition of
Armenian American groups comprising the Armenian Genocide Commemorative
Committee of Greater Washington.
"President Obama's record on genocide - whether it has been his
failure to recognize the Armenian Genocide or to put an end to
Sudanese President Omer al Bashir's attacks on the Nuba people
and South Kordofan - falls far short of the 'unstinting resolve' he
pledged as Senator and presidential candidate to stand up to genocide,"
said AYF Ani Chapter President Tevin Polatian.
"President Obama has instead resorted to empty rhetoric and worse,
in the case of the Armenian Genocide, pressured Armenia to support
the Turkey-Armenia Protocols - the latest in the arsenal of Turkey's
tactics to avoid dealing with this dark page in its past." Polatian
continued to note, however, that "It's not too late. President Obama,
on April 24th, has the opportunity to set the record straight - honor
the bravery and principles of U.S. diplomats like Henry Morgenthau
and John Evans - and describe the murder of 1.5 million Armenians
for what it was - Genocide."
Among the White House protesters was Visalia, California Mayor Amy
Shuklian, who marched in memory of her grandmother, Aroosiag, who was
a survivor of the Armenian Genocide. Shuklian was clear and succinct
in her message to President Obama that day: "Recognize the Genocide
for what it was, Mr. President - a Genocide."
Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Greater Washington member
Jake Bournazian offered a passionate message to President Obama,
urging him to honor the founding principles of the United States and
become a great president by recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
Bournazian detailed the cultural genocide being committed by the
Turkish Government today, citing the ongoing destruction of centuries
old Armenian Churches, and the need for Turkey to not only recognize
the Armenian Genocide but make reparations to the Armenian people.
At the end of the two-hour demonstration, protesters were drenched
from the torrential rain, but undeterred in their calls upon President
Obama to end Turkey's gag rule on U.S. affirmation of this crime with
a clear and unambiguous statement on April 24.
PanARMENIAN.Net
April 24, 2012 - 10:33 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian-Americans from across the Greater Washington
area rallied in front of the White House just days before President
Obama's annual April 24 remarks, urging him to honor his pledge to
properly characterize the murder of 1.5 million Armenians by the
Ottoman Turkish Government as Genocide.
According to Asbarez, the protest was organized by the Armenian
Youth Federation "Ani" Chapter, in coordination with a coalition of
Armenian American groups comprising the Armenian Genocide Commemorative
Committee of Greater Washington.
"President Obama's record on genocide - whether it has been his
failure to recognize the Armenian Genocide or to put an end to
Sudanese President Omer al Bashir's attacks on the Nuba people
and South Kordofan - falls far short of the 'unstinting resolve' he
pledged as Senator and presidential candidate to stand up to genocide,"
said AYF Ani Chapter President Tevin Polatian.
"President Obama has instead resorted to empty rhetoric and worse,
in the case of the Armenian Genocide, pressured Armenia to support
the Turkey-Armenia Protocols - the latest in the arsenal of Turkey's
tactics to avoid dealing with this dark page in its past." Polatian
continued to note, however, that "It's not too late. President Obama,
on April 24th, has the opportunity to set the record straight - honor
the bravery and principles of U.S. diplomats like Henry Morgenthau
and John Evans - and describe the murder of 1.5 million Armenians
for what it was - Genocide."
Among the White House protesters was Visalia, California Mayor Amy
Shuklian, who marched in memory of her grandmother, Aroosiag, who was
a survivor of the Armenian Genocide. Shuklian was clear and succinct
in her message to President Obama that day: "Recognize the Genocide
for what it was, Mr. President - a Genocide."
Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Greater Washington member
Jake Bournazian offered a passionate message to President Obama,
urging him to honor the founding principles of the United States and
become a great president by recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
Bournazian detailed the cultural genocide being committed by the
Turkish Government today, citing the ongoing destruction of centuries
old Armenian Churches, and the need for Turkey to not only recognize
the Armenian Genocide but make reparations to the Armenian people.
At the end of the two-hour demonstration, protesters were drenched
from the torrential rain, but undeterred in their calls upon President
Obama to end Turkey's gag rule on U.S. affirmation of this crime with
a clear and unambiguous statement on April 24.