U.S. lawmaker urges FBI to probe hate crime against Armenian schoolsJanuary 30, 2019 - 13:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Congressmen Adam Schiff and Brad Sherman strongly condemn the hateful acts of vandalism and trespassing directed against Holy Martyrs Ferrahian School and AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School in the San Fernando Valley as school officials reported finding Turkish flags hanging on campus as they arrived at school in the morning. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating what they are calling an alleged ‘hate incident’ at two Armenian private schools after officials say their campuses were vandalized with Turkish flags overnight. "Private Armenian schools in Southern California were vandalized today with Turkish flags. These schools are attended by many descendants of survivors of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire, and I stand with the Armenian community in condemning this act of hate," Schiff said in a statement. "Authorities are investigating the incident and I’m hopeful they will identify the suspects to prevent additional threats and intimidation." Sherman said the act is particularly cruel to those whose family members died in the Armenian Genocide. "I call on law enforcement to make arresting the vandals a high priority," he said. "These incidents may constitute a violation of federal hate-crimes statutes. See 18 U.S.C. Section 247. "Accordingly, I will urge the FBI to investigate this hate crime and federal prosecutors to prosecute to the full extent of the law." Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |