ANCA-WR ACTIVISTS MAKE WAVES IN SACRAMENTO
asbarez
Thursday, May 10th, 2012
ANCA-WR activists in the State Captiol (photo by Nora Yacoubian)
200 ANCA-WR Activists Gather At The California State Capitol
SACRAMENTO-Nearly 200 activists, from every corner of California,
joined the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region on
Thursday, April 19 for the Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide in
the California State Legislature. A busload of activists making the
trip from Southern California was escorted through Los Angeles by an
official send-off by the “Hye Riders” Motorcycle Club.
Consul General Grigor Hovanissian, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Chairwoman Nora Hovsepian (photo by Nora Yacoubian) Participants
observed the State Senate and Assembly commemorations which recognized
various community groups including the ANCA-WR and were spiritually
inspired by an invocation from Archbishop Mousegh Mardirossian of
the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
The day’s events were highlighted by passage of two Armenian
Genocide Resolutions. Notably, Assembly Member Katcho Achadjian,
the only Assembly Member of Armenian descent, introduced and ushered
passage of House Resolution 27 which strongly recognizes the Armenian
Genocide, designates April 18 – 24, 2012 as a “Week of Remembrance
for the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923,” and calls on the Congress and
President of the United States to formally and consistently recognize
the Armenian Genocide’s historical truth.
“The State Legislature’s commemorative events and passage of not
one, but two Armenian Genocide resolutions, once again highlight
California’s role at the forefront of genocide awareness and
recognition of the Armenian Genocide in particular,” said Armen
Garabedian, ANCA-WR California State Affairs Committee Chair.
State Rep. Mike Feuer with ANCA-WR Activists (photo by Nora Yacoubian)
Alongside the commemorative events, the ANCA-WR held its annual
Advocacy Day in the State Capitol through which participating activists
were able to educate state legislators about issues of concern to the
Armenian-American community. “I had an incredible opportunity to sit
in on a meeting with my Assembly Member, Felipe Fuentes, which really
gave me insight of how politics work outside of the classroom. My
participation in the Genocide Commemoration on the Assembly and
Senate Floors allowed me to apply what I had been studying for the
past three years to the real world. […],”stated Ellen Oganesyan,
ASA president at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
State Rep. Katcho Achadjian, GUSD Board Member Greg Krikorian;
credit, Nora Yacoubian.JPG State Rep. Katcho Achadjian, GUSD Board
Member Greg Krikorian (photo by Nora Yacoubian) She continued, “As
an Armenian-American and direct descendant of an Armenian Genocide
survivor, Advocacy Day enhanced every aspect of my involvement as an
activist against human rights violations.”
Throughout the day and during a reception hosted by several
legislators, the ANCA-WR displayed images of Armenian Church properties
which have been intentionally destroyed or left in tragic disrepair
by the Turkish government in what is historic Armenia.
House Resolution 27 also calls for the restoration of rights due to
the “rightful church and lay owners” of similarly situated properties.
“Recognition of the Armenian Genocide is so much more complicated
than a simple recognition of a historical fact… The current state
of Armenian churches and other properties wrongfully confiscated
during the Genocide is just one tangible aspect of this multi-faceted
reality,” noted ANCA-WR California State Affairs Committee member,
Arpie Jivalagian.
Senator Kevin De Leon, Archbishop Mardirossian, Chairwoman Nora
Hovsepian, Board Member Raffi Kassabian, Board Member Pattyl
Aposhian-Kasbarian, Activist Baydsar Thomassian (photo by Nora
Yacoubian) The day was concluded with a screening of “My Mother’s
Voice” by Dr.
Kay Mouradian. Dr. Mouradian is a novelist and educator who has
written about her personal experiences confronting the reality of
genocide in her own family. My Mother’s Voice is a documentary based
on Dr. Mouradian’s book, “A Gift in the Sunlight.” Dr. Mouradian, a
participant in Advocacy Day, also fielded questions from the audience.
“Ultimately, Advocacy Day is an opportunity for community members
to actively and actually participate in the political process in
furtherance of issues relevant to Armenian-Americans including those
beyond Genocide recognition. This year’s strong turnout is encouraging
and underscores the significance of our community’s invaluable asset –
its activists,” added Garabedian.
Special Message: On May 20, the 2012 ANCA Telethon will bring thousands
of people together from coast to coast in support of the educational,
charitable, and civic involvement programs of the ANCA Endowment
Fund. Be a part of the excitement! Learn more.
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential 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.
From: A. Papazian