Armenian, Jewish communities in U.S. launch online grassroots petition for Armenian Genocide recognition

PanARMENIAN.Net -
Leaders from Boston's vibrant Armenian and Jewish communities launched an online grassroots petition urging all people of conscience to sign a letter to President Obama and Congress that calls for swift passage of H. Res. 252, the Armenian Genocide resolution currently pending in Congress, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).



"The Assembly commends the work of this important human rights coalition and calls on all American citizens to affirm the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide by signing the petition to your elected Representatives," stated Assembly Grassroots Director Taniel Koushakjian. The Armenian American Action Committee of Massachusetts (ARAMAC-MA), Armenian National Committee of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Jewish community and Assembly anti-genocide coalition partner Investor's Against Genocide were instrumental in launching the petition.



The Boston based coalition of Armenian and Jewish communities have been engaged in a robust civil society dialogue, which was the outcome of a 2007 rift where the local Massachusetts branch of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) broke with national ADL leader Abraham Foxman in acknowledging the Armenian Genocide. ADL later altered their position, and just last month stated, "We continue to believe that there was a genocide..," yet continue to oppose legislation in Congress that would affirm the incontestable truth.



Mirrored after H. Res. 106, the Armenian Genocide resolution which passed the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in 2007, H. Res. 252 boasts 137 cosponsors and is currently pending in the aforementioned committee. "What the world witnessed at the turn of the 20th century is being repeated again at the dawn of the 21st century today in Darfur. By signing the online petition, one can play an important role in helping to end the vicious cycle of genocide," stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.



Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.