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LETTERS: URGE MASS. GOV. PATRICK TO DROP JUDICIAL NOMINEE
http://asbarez.com/117247/letters-urge-mass-gov-patrick-to-drop-judicial-nominee/
Tuesday, December 10th, 2013 | Posted by Contributor
To the Editor:
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has blundered in nominating Joseph
S. Berman to be a Superior Court judge. Mr. Berman is a long-time
member of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and has been a National
Commissioner of that organization since 2006.
The ADL has, of course, worked directly with Turkey to defeat
Congressional resolutions on the Armenian genocide and still refuses to
unambiguously acknowledge that genocide. The ADL qualifies, therefore,
as an anti-human rights organization.
Before and during the height of Armenian Americans' battle against
the genocide denials of the ADL in 2007, National Commissioner Berman
apparently never issued a public statement disagreeing with national
ADL policies towards Armenians.
Moreover, there's no evidence that he modified the national ADL's
policies, which remain unchanged.
As a National Commissioner, Mr. Berman must bear responsibility for the
ADL's anti-Armenian stance, even if he claims otherwise. It's unclear
if he understands the human rights issues that judges must deal with.
However, powerful forces, including Boston media, are supporting Mr.
Berman and misleading the public about Armenian issues.
Fortunately, the Governor's Council - eight elected officials who
must confirm judicial nominations - is leaning against Mr. Berman's
nomination. Among its reasons is his ADL record.
Armenian Americans should write to Governor Deval Patrick and ask
him to withdraw Mr. Berman's nomination.
They should also ask the Governor's Councilors to vote against
Mr. Berman.
In 2007-2008, Armenian Americans mobilized against the ADL. As a
result, over a dozen Massachusetts cities, as well as the Massachusetts
Municipal Association, severed ties with the ADL's so-called No Place
for Hate program. This made international headlines.
With the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide approaching,
and the ADL still lobbying against our genocide resolution, Armenian
Americans must now mobilize against Mr. Berman's nomination.
David Boyajian Belmont, Mass.
http://asbarez.com/117247/letters-urge-mass-gov-patrick-to-drop-judicial-nominee/
Tuesday, December 10th, 2013 | Posted by Contributor
To the Editor:
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has blundered in nominating Joseph
S. Berman to be a Superior Court judge. Mr. Berman is a long-time
member of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and has been a National
Commissioner of that organization since 2006.
The ADL has, of course, worked directly with Turkey to defeat
Congressional resolutions on the Armenian genocide and still refuses to
unambiguously acknowledge that genocide. The ADL qualifies, therefore,
as an anti-human rights organization.
Before and during the height of Armenian Americans' battle against
the genocide denials of the ADL in 2007, National Commissioner Berman
apparently never issued a public statement disagreeing with national
ADL policies towards Armenians.
Moreover, there's no evidence that he modified the national ADL's
policies, which remain unchanged.
As a National Commissioner, Mr. Berman must bear responsibility for the
ADL's anti-Armenian stance, even if he claims otherwise. It's unclear
if he understands the human rights issues that judges must deal with.
However, powerful forces, including Boston media, are supporting Mr.
Berman and misleading the public about Armenian issues.
Fortunately, the Governor's Council - eight elected officials who
must confirm judicial nominations - is leaning against Mr. Berman's
nomination. Among its reasons is his ADL record.
Armenian Americans should write to Governor Deval Patrick and ask
him to withdraw Mr. Berman's nomination.
They should also ask the Governor's Councilors to vote against
Mr. Berman.
In 2007-2008, Armenian Americans mobilized against the ADL. As a
result, over a dozen Massachusetts cities, as well as the Massachusetts
Municipal Association, severed ties with the ADL's so-called No Place
for Hate program. This made international headlines.
With the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide approaching,
and the ADL still lobbying against our genocide resolution, Armenian
Americans must now mobilize against Mr. Berman's nomination.
David Boyajian Belmont, Mass.