Chicago Holds Rally in Support of Syrian-Armenians
X-Sender: Asbed Bedrossian
X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.1 — ListProcessor(tm) by CREN
Posted by Weekly Staff on October 11, 2012
GLENVIEW, Ill. – Chicago Armenians raised nearly $10,000 at a rally held on
Sat., Sept. 29 in support of Syrian Armenian Relief. Organized by the
Chicago `Christapor’ ARF *Gomideh*, with the participation of nine
community organizations and churches, the rally was held at Shahnasarian
Hall in the All Saints Community Center.
[image: p3 hmem 300×199 Chicago Holds Rally in Support of Syrian Armenians]
Homenetmen scouts during the event
Master of Ceremonies Armen Papazian welcomed the crowd and invited the
Homenetmen Scouts to perform the presentation of the colors ceremony and the
singing of the U.S. and Armenian national anthems. In his opening remarks,
Papazian noted that although the event was intended to be a celebration of
the ARF’s 122nd anniversary, the `Christapor’ *Gomideh* – determining that
the deteriorating situation and endangerment of the Armenian community in
Syria required an immediate response by the Chicago community – instead
dedicated the event to Syrian Armenian Relief.
Vasken Aivazian was then invited to give a brief history of the
Armenian community in Syria. He noted some of the many contributions
by Syrian-Armenians to the Armenian nation. The community, he said,
has been a crucible that has forged many great leaders for the
diaspora. Chicago Hamazkayin Chair Haroutiun Mikaelian then gave a
personal account of growing up in Aleppo, which instilled in him a
life-long love of Armenian culture. He touched upon how his teachers
and community leaders helped to shape his life and the lives of others
from his generation.
Papazian then introduced the evening’s guest speaker, Hairenik Editor Zaven
Torikian. To provide perspective on the situation in Syria, Torikian began
his remarks by comparing and contrasting the progression of attempts at regime
change that recently swept across North Africa to the Arabian peninsula,
and finally reached Jordan and Syria. He pointed out how, unlike in Libya
where the Western powers took a direct and active role in the overthrow of
Qadaffi, in Syria the U.S. worked through proxies, notably Turkey, Saudi
Arabia, and Qatar. He noted that this battle was seen not solely for
gaining control of Syria, but as an attempt to reduce Iran’s influence in
the region.
Torikian added that while some Armenians had decided to support the Free
Syrian Army, and others sided with the Assad government, the vast majority
of Armenians have tried to stay neutral, attempting to emulate the position
of the Lebanese-Armenian community during Lebanon’s civil war. He also
explained that the Free Syrian Army – heavily influenced by Turkey – is viewed
with suspicion by many; the army contains, for example, an `Ataturk’
Brigade and even an `Enver Pasha’ brigade.
He went on to discuss how, until recently, many Armenians were fairly well
removed from the fighting, which occurred primarily outside of Aleppo. As
the fighting has begun to reach Armenian neighborhoods in Aleppo, however,
Armenian organizations have mobilized to help address the critical needs of
the community, including food distribution. Torikian’s comments were
followed by a brief question and answer session.
Papazian then invited `Christapor’ *Gomideh*representative Greg Bedian
to provide closing remarks. Bedian began by reiterating some of the
many contributions of the Syrian-Armenians to the Armenian nation. He
noted how Syrian-Armenians had provided aid to Armenians during the
Lebanese Civil War; to Armenia following the earthquake and the
Arstakh liberation struggle; and how they had sheltered Iraqi
Armenians during the two wars in Iraq and the chaos that
followed. Bedian concluded his remarks and began the fundraising
portion of the program by stating that it was the Chicago community’s
turn to give assistance to the Syrian-Armenian community, to
demonstrate our solidarity, and provide them with both the moral and
financial support that they need.
Participating organizations in the Syrian Armenian Relief rally included
the Armenian All Saints Apostolic Church, Armenian Evangelical Church of
Chicago, Armenian General Benevolent Union Chicago Chapter, Armenian
National Committee of Illinois, Armenian Relief Society `Zabelle’ Chapter,
Armenian Youth Federation `Ararat’ Chapter, Hamazkayin Chicago Chapter,
Homenetmen Chicago Chapter, and the Taniel Varoujan Armenian School.
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/10/11/chicago-holds-rally-in-support-of-syrian-armenians/