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AYF Youth Rally Commemorates 86th Anniversary of Genocide
ENCINO--Hundreds of community members gathered at Avedissian Hall in Encino
on Saturday, April 21 for a youth rally organized by the Armenian Youth
Federation (AYF) to commemorate the 86th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The
event was planned not only to observe the Genocide, but also to motivate the new
generation in seeking ways to gain recognition of the Genocide.
Speakers included ARF Central Committee representative Viken Yacoubian;
legislative assistant to Congressman Steve Rothman Raffi Hamparian; Greg
Krikorian of the Glendale School Board; Michelle Topalian, wife of Mourad
Topalian; and Talar Chahinian of the AYF.
A short dramatic skit and recitation opened the evening's program. Slides
and video presentation were included. Talar Chahinian spoke about the increasing
number of young Armenians growing up not speaking Armenian or learning about
their culture. Chahinian stressed the need to create more awareness in
terms of educating the new generation of Armenian Americans about their heritage.
"The future of the Armenian nation is at the hands of the youth," said Chahinian.
She believes that addressing this issue of preserving our culture is a
means of fighting the Turkish goal of annihilating our people.
Michelle Topalian, wife of Mourad Topalian who spoke at last year's rally,
thanked everyone on behalf of Mourad and the Topalian family for all the
love and support they received during their difficult times. The continued
support is what is allowing Mourad to sustain himself while in prison. Michelle was
on stage with 7-year old daughter Alique. She mentioned Alique's reply to her
principal when asked what to tell all the other school children about her
father's incarceration. "Tell them that St. Peter, St. Paul, and St.
Nicholas all went to prison for believing in Jesus Christ. They did things people
thought were wrong, but they did it because of their love of Jesus. My
father did something wrong, and he had to go to jail , but he did it because the
Turks have never apologized for killing all the Armenians, and he believes they
should." Michelle said that both she and the principal were astonished at
Alique's comprehension of the situation. Alique also spoke and thanked those
who have helped her father and urged all to stay true to their beliefs. She
asked community members to continue their support by writing to her father.
Greg Krikorian spoke of the denial of the Genocide, which he referred to as
the "spreading plague." He called on all Armenians to fight this plague
which is infecting educational institutions around the world. Krikorian said the
new generation is responsible for continuing the fight for justice, and that the
Armenian Cause must be carried by individuals on a daily basis.
Raffi Hamparian urged today's youth to continue to fight for justice, just
as his grandmother encouraged him to do so as a child. Hamparian focused on the
need to end the Turkish government's insidious campaign to deny the Armenian
Genocide. He mentioned the efforts of dedicated people like ANC-WR Executive
Director Alex Sardar and AYF CE field-worker Vicken Sossikian and a thousand
others like them who fight the denial of the Genocide on a daily basis.
Hamparian mentioned the passing of a Genocide resolution by the Michigan
House of Representatives just this past week. He also mentioned the passing of
resolutions in Maryland, Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Minnesota in
recent months. He spoke of the Turkish Genocide denial campaign he
witnessed in Maryland, and how it crumbled. " As the Maryland General Assembly readied
for a vote on the genocide resolution, I received a phone call from a State
Senator who said Raffi, I must tell you about the strangest thing I saw this morning
-parked outside the general assembly were two dark black Lincoln towncars -
clearly from the Turkish Embassy. This was meant to intimidate state
legislators, yet it only aggravated the public officials."
Another example of the Turkish denial campaign mentioned b Hamparian had
to do with the Turkish Ambassador's desperate attempts in Annapolis. During the
same week the resolution was being considered in Maryland, the Turkish lira
collapsed, causing many to wonder about the stability of the Turkish
economy.
The Turkish Ambassador to the United States chose to fight the Genocide
resolution personally in Annapolis, rather than meet with World Bank
officials in Washington DC. This demonstrates the desperation of the Turkish
government.
Hamparian said he is optimistic that serious gains are being made toward US
recognition of the Genocide.
ARF Central Committee representative Viken Yacoubian spoke of the role
played by the Armenian National Committee of America and the Armenian Youth
Federation in the struggle to gain recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Along with the
struggle to gain recognition of the Genocide, Yacoubian added that the
Armenian Cause also upholds the principle of a free, independent, and united Armenia
with the liberation of western Armenia. Yacoubian said that international
recognition of the Genocide is much appreciated, however, the international
community must follow with other steps in order for Armenians to feel fully
gratified.
"The Armenian government's positive approach to the Armenian Cause is
commendable, nevertheless, we expect Yerevan to put forth additional
demands.
Any attempts at renouncing our territorial demands will be rejected," said
Yacoubian.
The ARF Central Committee representative also emphasized the role of the
youth in fighting to prevent the establishment of Turkish chairs at various
universities in the United States. Yacoubian concluded his remarks by
encouraging the youth to work toward solutions through constructive
activism, broad participation, and untiring faith.
Musical performances were also featured by Harout Pamboukjian, Nersig
Ispirian and alternative rock band IO.
Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News Archives