Charging Through Black Friday to Join the Armenian Cause at ANCA Grassroots
Friday, December 6th, 2013
A capacity crowd filled the Loew’s Hollywood Hotel ball room at ANCA Grassroots
BY TALAR MALAKIAN
LOS ANGELES – Black Friday was embraced at the famous Loews Hollywood
Hotel on November 29 with a lively, bustling crowd of 500 people
shuffling through registration and check-ins, many scrambling over to
Sebu Simonian to have a picture taken with the award winning Capital
Cities’ star, others were hugging each other after several years of
separation anxiety.
But it was not the bargain deals and the latest incredible offers on
pricey goods, for which this group headed to the Loews Hotel. It was
also not for a star studded weekend of tourism following the
consumption of mass amounts of food after Thanksgiving Day.
Community members young and old, from across the country and the globe
headed to the Loews Hotel for a three-day conference about the most
recent developments pertaining to the Armenian Cause in the United
States, Armenia and globally.
The conference was hosted by the Armenian National Committee of
America Western Region and with full bellies and thankful hearts,
participants were ready to join a conference that showcased recent
accomplishments, certain failures, and the potential for a better
future through community activism, entertainment, political
leadership, modern social media developments, and global networks.
Representatives from ANCA, the ANCA-Eastern Region and ANCA Canada
were also part of the diverse audience at ANCA Grassroots.
On Friday night, registration began at 4 p.m. Participants were given
red reusable and environmentally friendly ANCA Grassroots bags with a
2013 Annual Report, a Program Book, a pen and a list of local
attractions including some of the best restaurants in Los Angeles. The
affordable cost of the conference provided seven incredible and
informative panels as well as one breakfast Saturday morning, one
luncheon Sunday, and two cocktail receptions, on Friday night and
Saturday night.
The `Film and the Arts’ panel lead by Capital Cities’ Sebu Simonian,
Emmy award winning filmmaker Bared Maronian, Genie and Gemini award
winning actress Arsinee Khanjian, world renowed comedian, actor and
writer Vahe Berberian, Filmmakers Edwin Avaness and Serj Minassians of
`Epic Denied,’ and Micheline Aharonian Marcom, acclaimed author of
`Three Apples Fell From Heaven’
The first discussion was a panel called, `Film and the Arts.’ Before a
stunning dark blue curtain backdrop with streaming symbolic, red, blue
and orange lighting, lead singer of Capital Cities, Sebu Simonian,
Emmy award winning filmmaker Bared Maronian, Genie and Gemini award
winning actress Arsinee Khanjian, world renowed comedian, actor and
writer Vahe Berberian, Filmmakers Edwin Avaness and Serj Minassians of
`Epic Denied’ and Micheline Aharonian Marcom acclaimed author of
`Three Apples Fell From Heaven’ discussed their experiences with
utilizing cinema, writing, art and music to spread awareness about a
variety of issues, but further, to reach a global audience through
creativity that speaks to the heart of issues plaguing the world
today, especially Armenian issues.
Vahe Berberian stressed the importance of cultural and linguistic
preservation through entertainment and engagement with audiences,
while all the panelists agreed that entertainment provided a platform
to reach an audience through speaking to the heart of stories that
matter and move them. Following the panel discussion was a cocktail
reception right outside the hall on the mezzanine floor, where
panelists and community members shared stories, shook hands, took
pictures, and had their forearms signed.
Early Saturday morning, participants were woken up not by the strong
coffee and fresh scones in the hall, but by a powerful panel called
`Homeland and the Diaspora.’
Panelists Dr. Hayg Oshagan, an Associate Professor and Director of the
Media Arts and Studies Program at Wayne State University, Maria
Titizian, an editor for Civilnet and Dr. Talar Chahinian, a professor
of Comparative literature at Cal State University Long Beach
Panelists Dr. Hayg Oshagan, an Associate Professor and Director of the
Media Arts and Studies Program in the Department of Communication at
Wayne State University and Maria Titizian, an editor for Civilnet and
Dr. Talar Chahinian, a professor of Comparative literature at Cal
State University Long Beach, had a heated discussion regarding
identity politics and cultural production in the homeland and in the
Diaspora, with a special emphasis on the various solutions to
preserving the Armenian identity, whatever that identity may be to
each of us.
Many participants asked questions and many were left wondering whether
repatriation to Armenia was the only way to preserve a truly Armenian
identity and a prosperous geographical homeland.
`The engagement in the Homeland and Diaspora panel was incredible.
Participants of all ages wondered what it meant to be an Armenian in
every sense of the word. The panel was political, cultural,
psychological and more importantly, a conversation that needed to
happen,’ said Asbarez English Editor and Grassroots Committee
Chairperson Ara Khachatourian.
Expert scholars Ruken Sengul, Dr. Henry Theriault and Dr. Biligin
Ayata lead the “Western Armenia” panel
Following the engaging panel on identity politics, was one just as
informative, called `Western Armenia,’ a term referring to the Eastern
part of the Ottoman Empire. Challenges facing the region especially
with regards to Kurdish and Armenian relations were discussed by
expert scholars Ruken Sengul, Dr. Henry Theriault and Dr. Biligin
Ayata. The panel was moderated by Khatchig Mouradian, a panelist
recognized from the 2011 ANCA Western Region Grassroots Conference.
After a lunch break at some of the best restaurants in a jolly,
Christmas-themed Hollywood and Highland Center, participants returned
for the panel called `Transnational Justice.’
Noted lawyers David Balabanian, Kate Nahapetian, and Edvin Minasian
and Garo Ghazarian in collaboration with the Armenian Bar Association,
explored the legal possibilities for Genocide reparations especially
with regards to the Armenian case of Genocide. Lawyers attending the
panel discussion received 1.5 hours of CLE credit. Chairman of the
Armenian Bar Association Garo Ghazarian began the panel with a moving
and passionate speech regarding the importance of legal justice in
international conflicts. At the end of the Question and Answer section
of the panel, someone from the audience even claimed he had paperwork
for a property in Western Armenia and requested one of the lawyers to
take his case in retrieving what was rightfully his.
The `Transnational Justice’ panel was lead by prominent lawyers David
Balabanian, Kate Nahapetian, and Edvin Minasian and Garo Ghazarian
`Amongst the many means by which to advocate for the Armenian Cause,
one of the most effective is to pursue justice through domestic and
foreign court systems. The purpose of this panel was to highlight such
ongoing efforts and to explore new legal options, and we are grateful
to our esteemed panelists from the Armenian Bar Association for a
thought-provoking presentation.’ said ANCA Western Region Chairperson
Nora Hovsepian.
The `Hye Votes’ panel followed `Transnational Justice.’ Since the last
Grassroots conference, a successful campaign led by the ANCA Western
Region HyeVotes initiative registered over 5,000 people in the Los
Angeles area to vote.
Moderated by HyeVotes Campaign Director and ANCA Western Region
Executive Director Elen Asatryan, elected officials and campaign staff
discussed grassroots activism, elections, and community organization.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian started off by inspiring
the crowd and empowering them to activism, as the first Armenian Los
Angeles City Councilmember. Jack Hadjinian of Montebello City Council
said he wanted to be a rockstar as a kid, before he decided to run for
office. Christine Jerian, Mayor Eric Garcetti’s External Affairs
Liaison, called on Armenian women to run for office as the only female
panelist. Glendale City Clerk Ardy Kassakhian talked about his
experiences with the UCLA Armenian Students’ Association and Turkish
lobbying on campus. Glendale City Treasurer Rafi Manoukian discussed
his extensive experience in local politics and Glendale City
Councilmember Zareh Sinanyan stressed the importance of service.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, Montebello City
Councilmember Jack Hadjinian, Mayor Eric Garcetti’s External Affairs
Liaison Christine Jerian, Glendale City Clerk Ardy Kassakhian,
Glendale City Treasurer Rafi Manoukian, and Glendale City
Councilmember Zareh Sinanyan lead the “Hye Votes” panel, moderated by
ANCA Western Region Executive Director Elen Asatryan
`The Hye Votes panel was the culmination of the experiences of elected
officials, a reminder of how important it is to be involved in the
electoral process, and a celebration of the grassroots activism that
has been going on politically, especially in Los Angeles,’ said ANCA
Western Region Executive Director and Hye Votes panel moderator, Elen
Asatryan.
Immediately after the Hye Votes panel, `iZartonk’ panelists Vache
Thomassian and Paul Chaderjian emotionally charged the audience
through dedicating the panel to Allen Yekikian who conceived the
concept of iZartonk as a multii-platform media professional and
Armenian Youth Federation activist. Allen and his wife Sosse, Vache
Thomassian’s sister, moved to Armenia where they lost their lives
after repatriating to Armenia earlier this year.
The two panelists were joined by moderator and ANCA Grassroots
committee member Aris Hovasapian to talk about the Digital Revolution
and the changing face of community outreach through social media like
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube among many others. During the
panel, ANCA Western Region, local ANCA chapters, and community members
posted pictures and videos online. Many were emotional through
watching Allen Yekikian’s 2011 presentation, and many found themselves
ready to use social media tools as ways to engage.
Vache Thomassian and Paul Chaderjian lead the “iZartonk” panel,
dedicating it to Allen Yekikian who conceived the concept of iZartonk
The ANCA Western Region Annual Banquet that evening, was attended by
over a 1,000 community leaders, elected officials, and community
representatives. Following the Banquet was the `ANCA Professional
Network After Party’ included in the Grassroots Conference package, in
the Panorama Suite of the Loews Hotel. Panelists, elected officials,
and friends of all ages rubbed elbows, looked out at the twinkling Los
Angeles night sky and found themselves awed by the beauty of towering
skyscrapers from a wide set window running along the glamorous suite.
A fascinating luncheon called `The Hye Tad Global Initiative’ took
place Sunday afternoon, after a long night of fun and celebration.
On Sunday at noon representatives from Armenian National Committees in
South America, Europe, Armenia, Australia and the Middle East streamed
in through Google Hangouts video chat to discuss their advocacy
efforts in their respective communities.
International Hye Tad Director Giro Manoyan (Armenia), Dr. Khatchik
Der-Gougassian (South America), Vera Yacoubian (Middle East), Shahen
Mirakian (Canada), Kaspar Karampetian (Europe) and Vache Kahramanian
(Australia) remotely joined ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian and
ANCA-WR Board Chairwoman Nora Hovsepian who were in the ballroom for a
multi-faceted discussion about the Armenian Cause moderated by ANCA
Grassroots Committee chairperson and Asbarez English Editor Ara
Khachatourian.
International Hye Tad Director Giro Manoyan, Dr. Khatchik
Der-Gougassian, Vera Yacoubian, Shahen Mirakian, Kaspar Karampetian
and Vache Kahramanian joining remotely with ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian and ANCA-WR Board Chairwoman Nora Hovsepian to lead the
“Hye Tad Global Initiative” panel, moderated by ANCA Grassroots
Committee chairperson and Asbarez English Editor Ara Khachatourian
Participants from the ANCA Western Region Facebook and twitter pages
engaged with the panelists, along with international communities
watching the online stream through the Asbarez website. A global
discussion through modern contemporary media breached geographical
barriers in a groundbreaking event where Armenians from everywhere
discussed leadership, the Armenian cause, and the future for Armenia
and the Diaspora in one room though thousands of miles away.
After hearing the panelists, and concluding with a community of global
conversation, the ANCA Western Region Grassroots conference touched
the lives of all the participants by making them uncomfortable with
the status quo, showing them the progressive ways communities are
changing and empowering people to be a part of the Armenian Cause as a
working body of various necessary organs, always developing, moving
forward, with the same values, integrity and passion for justice. The
ANCA WR Grassroots Conference will be back two years from now,
following the Armenian Genocide Centennial.
By then, it can be wholeheartedly said that the ANCA Western Region
has empowered people internationally, to charge forward, take justice
through the grassroots to a new level, and to remember always that
full bellies and giving thanks for panorama suites and informative
panels should actually mean giving more to the things that require
love, heart, and undivided attention, every day until the world is
flawless. Take a breath, pat yourselves on the back for coming, then
join the movement that is changing the world and mobilizing the
Armenian Cause.
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.
http://asbarez.com/117167/charging-through-black-friday-to-join-the-armenian-cause-at-anca-grassroots/