PRESS RELEASE
Date: October 30, 2007
Armenian Youth Federation of Rhode Island
402 Broadway Providence RI 02909
Contact: Levon Attarian
Tel: 401-831-6399
HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS RALLY AGAINST
CONGRESSMAN ROBERT WEXLER IN RHODE ISLAND
Demonstrators seek answers to Congressman Wexler’s ongoing denials
of the Armenian Genocide
Providence, RI- On Friday, October 26th, Congressman Robert Wexler
(D-FL-19) was met by protesters as he entered the Hilell House at
Brown University during a parent’s weekend dinner where he was to
address the crowd about foreign affairs and the Middle East
reported the Providence chapter of the Armenian Youth Federation
(AYF).
Wexler, Co-chair of the Turkish Caucus, voted both in 2005 and 2007
against the Armenian Genocide resolution (H. Res. 316 & H. Res.
106) during the House Foreign Affairs Committee markups. He
carefully avoided using the word genocide in describing what befell
the Armenians from 1915-1923. "Congressman Robert Wexler’s ongoing
denial of the Armenian Genocide needs to be stopped. His inability
to call what happened to the Armenians what it was, a genocide,
shows us how vulnerable he is to outside foreign pressure,"
commented Levon Attarian, Central Executive member of the Armenian
Youth Federation..
Learning of his presence on the campus several hours earlier, the
Providence "Vartanian" Chapter of the AYF mobilized and
demonstrated their outrage at Wexler’s continued denial of the
Armenian Genocide. Several dozen Armenian youth and community
activists stood in front of the auditorium to greet Congressman
Wexler with placards which included "Wexler for Hire" and shouts of
"Genocide Denial."
Wexler was clearly surprised and upset by the protesters, to the
point where he did not speak or respond to the comments from the
attendees as he entered the function hall.
Demonstrators also held posters in support of Ben Graber, candidate
for the 19th District of Florida, and pro-human rights activist who
has called upon Robert Wexler to end his denial of the Armenian
Genocide. Following the House Committee vote on the Armenian
Genocide Resolution on October 10th, Graber came out with a
statement included below. Graber, who began an early start against
Wexler, is seeking to take over his seat in 2008.
Melissa Danielian stated that "the AYF learned several hours
earlier in the day of Wexler’s Providence appearance. It is
expected that he will be met with similar receptions in other cites
whenever he travels."
The AYF Eastern Region, along with other organizations, has planned
a rally in Cong. Wexler’s district for January 12, 2008. A large
number of human rights activists are expected to be in attendance
to confront Cong. Wexler’s ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide.
For more information email [email protected].
Statement of Dr. Benjamin Graber regarding the House Foreign
Affairs Committee vote that took place on October 10, 2007.
I would like to commend the 27 members of Congress on the Foreign
Relations Committee for making a positive historic vote by
recognizing the Armenian tragedy of 1915 as a true genocide.
History teaches each generation. This first genocide of the
twentieth century was carried out by an advanced, civilized nation,
the Ottoman Empire,, using antequated and barbaric actions. The
fact that the world looked the other way gave future guidance to
those despots who used it as an excuse for their own genocidal
policies. Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Milosevic, and now
the Darfur genocide may not have occurred if the Armenian Genocide had
not been tolerated by the world.
The first step to abolishing future genocides must begin with
recognition and condemnation of these actions by the world. We
cannot be responsible for what those who came before us did. We
must learn from their misguidance, correct the problem and teach
the next generation to know better. After all what counts most is
what we do because we occupy this time in history right now.
Those who continue to deny the Armenian Genocide are thinking
primitively and dangerously. They are the people who give
encouragement to those in society who would dare to repeat this
barbaric behavior. Threats of poor relations or retaliation for
this action by those affected negatively by this outcome clearly
demonstrates that they have not learned from history and may still
be doomed to repeat it. Those who actually perpetrated the crime
should have considered the long-term consequences of their actions.
Hopefully, future generations will learn from this now. If the
United States of America will not lead on this issue, then who
will? We are too strong a nation to compromise our principles in
the face of threats by other nations and we must stand strong,
together and be proud for doing the right thing. God Bless the
Armenian People and all those who were victims of this atrocity.
The whole world is watching.
Ben Graber, candidate for congress Fl. dist .19
Ben Graber, candidate for the House of Representatives from
Florida’s 19th Congressional District
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
