Author: Boshkezenian Garik

Executive Producer Montel Williams Addresses Attendees

GLENDALE – A capacity crowd attended a private screening of the critically acclaimed Armenian Genocide documentary film “Architects of Denial” on Wednesday. The Armenian National Committee of America – Glendale Chapter hosted the private screening in partnership with The Americana at Brand. In attendance were Executive Producer of “Architects of Denial,” Montel Williams, state and local elected officials, community organizations and members of the community at large.

The screening held at the Pacific Theater located inside The American at Brand, provided an opportunity for over 250 individuals to watch and be more informed about the history of the Armenian people, and the continuation of genocide denial that exists to this day.

Attendees included California State Senator Anthony Portantino and a representative from the offices of Congressman Adam Schiff. Also in attendance were Glendale City Mayor Vartan Gharpetian, Councilmembers Paula Devine, Ara Najarian, Zareh Sinanyan and City Clerk Ardy Kassakhian; Glendale Unified School District Board of Education Clerk Jennifer Freemon, Member Dr. Armina Gharpetian and Superintendent Winfred B. Roberson; Glendale Community College Board of Trustees President Dr. Armine Hacopian and Trustee Yvette Vartanian Davis, as well Superintendent/President Dr. David Viar; Crescenta Valley Town Council President Harry Leon, Vice President Mike Claessens and Councilmember Kyle Sudebaker, as well as California State Assemblymember Laura Friedman, Burbank Unified School District Board of Education Clerk Dr. Armond Aghakhanian. Also attending were several commissioners and city staff, representatives from local organizations, non-profit groups, individuals who worked on the development of the documentary, and various other active members of the Glendale Community.

ANCA Glendale Chair, Artin Manoukian welcomed attendees and thanked the Americana at Brand management for facilitating the screening. He also stated, “When the film was over I realized, that if we are capable of doing egregious and unspeakable things to each other, then we must be capable of mutual understanding, of active participation for the betterment of each other’s lives, and to do good on a larger scale than we already are.” After introductory remarks, he welcomed Executive Producer of Architects of Denial Montel Williams.

In his remarks Williams stated that, “the Armenian Genocide and its denial for over a 100 years, I think is solely the reason why the world ignores the other genocides that take place, and those that are taking place right now, which we read about and hear whispers of, because the world’s not talking…It is time for the United States to one hundred percent, officially recognize the Armenian Genocide!”

Portantino, who supported and advocated for the film’s advertisement and screening from the very beginning, provide the closing remarks stating that, “it is tragic that we don’t have recognition when it’s appropriate…The role of the activist is to make government officials do better…so let’s continue to fight for recognition and to do the right thing.”

Produced by Dean Cain and Montel Williams, “Architects of Denial” aims to educate and raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide, its continuous denial, and how the denial of the Armenian Genocide has allowed for subsequent genocides and mass atrocities to take place. The film draws connections between the events of 1915 and ethnic cleansings in conflict zones throughout the world, including those perpetuated by the Azerbaijani government.

ANCA Glendale encourages everyone to watch the film which can be purchased on Amazon, Vimeo, or on DVD.

The ANCA Glendale Chapter advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the city’s Armenian American community and promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.

ARF Leader: ‘I Do Not See [the Law] as a Danger to Our ‘Traditional’ Family Values’

YEREVAN (Armenian Weekly)—Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Supreme Council representative Aghvan Vardanyan said on Thursday that a proposed bill against domestic violence is not a threat to traditional Armenian family values and that the ARF will support the adoption of the law.

“The heated discussions and the many opposing views—even regarding our society’s value system—are evidence that problems exists within our society. Any manifestation of violence is reprehensible, especially if it is taking place in the family,” Vardanyan noted during an interview with Yerevan-based Yerkir Media.

According to Vardanyan, a law against domestic violence is crucial for Armenia. He noted that the ARF will suggest minor amendments and clarifications to the law.

Vardanyan said that he would like to see more emphasis put on the prevention of domestic violence, in particular.

In the interview, Vardanyan said that the ideas of traditional, national values have been widely discussed since the proposed bill was announced, and that there is a difference between real national values and what he called “pseudo-nationalism.”

“Unfortunately, pseudo-nationalism—which does not stem from our traditional image, our national ideology, or our worldview—is often more prevalent [in Armenia],” Vardanyan said. “The ARF has a value system and it is not pseudo-nationalism.”

According to Vardanyan, the Armenian people have historically been very progressive. “Unfortunately, the absence of statehood, our environment, and our surroundings have often taken us off track. In this regard, I believe that the idea of domestic violence prevention actually stems from our national ideology. The system of values of [12-13th century Armenian scholar and priest] Mkhitar Gosh, who addressed this very issue; of [Armenian mystical philosopher, and theologian Saint Grigor] Narekatsi, [Catholicos Nerses] Shnorhali—not of today’s rabiz singers, or pseudo-nationalists,” he noted.

Vardanyan went on to say that domestic violence must be prevented, to ensure a healthier society. The ARF leader also noted that he agreed with Gyumri-based Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan—a high-ranking clergyman of the Armenian Apostolic Church, who recently voiced support for government efforts to combat domestic violence—and Armenian intellectual Ruben Babayan, who recently called for further awareness and education surrounding domestic abuse.

“There are families full of love and harmony and there are families in which the most extreme cases [of domestic violence] manifest. These [cases] must be prevented,” Vardanyan noted.

According to Yerevan’s Women’s Resource Center, more than 50 Armenian women have been beaten to death or otherwise killed by their husbands or other relatives in the last five years. “This trend shows no signs of decline… I think this is a very serious number and this process [of a enacting a law] must not drag on further,” said representative Anahit Simonian.

The proposed law was drafted by Armenia’s Justice Ministry last year. If passed, the bill will introduce criminal and administrative liability for specific cases defined as domestic violence. It would also obligate the state to protect victims by providing them with special shelters or banning their violent spouses from approaching them and their children.

STRASBOURG, France (Public Radio of Armenia) – According to Czech Republic President Milos Zeman, today’s increase of “Islamic terrorism” is connected with the Armenian Genocide.

“The level of international crime is growing because of Islamic terrorism. I am open and frank, and don’t use the phrase ‘Islamic terrorism’ lightly but, in the overwhelming majority of cases, it has Islamic origin,” said Zeman during a Q&A session following his address to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). “It is connected with the Armenian Genocide.”

“I was heavily criticized when I declared the same thing as France did, but as PACE knows, the French Parliament even adopted a law about that genocide. However, I have also been criticized for having a good economic relationship with Azerbaijan,” added Zeman.

The President made the statement in response to Armenian lawmaker Arpine Hovhannisyan’s question.  She acknowledged Zeman’s personal input in raising awareness of the Armenian Genocide and asked about plans to include crimes against humanity as a topic within school curriculums.

When asked what the Council of Europe can do to support the integration of this topic in the curriculums of member States, the Czech President stated “we should invest in the police and the army, and have the courage to invest in our own guns.”

Zeman explained how after his wife obtained a pistol after passing the necessary tests, he is also guarded by her in addition to his body guards.

“The second amendment to the American constitution says that everybody has the right to have a weapon – of course they must fulfill the necessary conditions and tests,” said the Czech President. “We Europeans are a little more careful than the Americans, but after Barcelona and many assassinations, I think that the difference between Europeans and Americans is not so great.”

The Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic approved a resolution on April 26, 2017, condemning the genocide of Armenians and other religious and national minorities in the Ottoman Empire during the First World War.