May 8, 2004

Bay Area Armenians Commemorate Genocide

- Kossakian calls on community to prepare for the next phase of Hai Tad
- City of Oakland Recognizes Armenian Genocide for First Time

San Francisco, April, 2004 -- The Armenian-American community commemorated the Armenian Genocide with various activities over several weeks, including public resolutions, screenings, a youth program and student events, religious ceremonies and a program of speakers and cultural presentations.

Bay Area Cities Recognize the Armenian Genocide The San Francisco and Santa Clara counties and the cities of Berkeley and Oakland honored the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide by declaring April 24th a day of remembrance for the Armenian Genocide. This was the first year Oakland recognized the Armenian Genocide. Over the previous two months, ANC members in Oakland brought the issue of the Armenian Genocide to the attention of Oakland City Council members, who unanimously voted for the resolution, which was passed and discussed during a public City Council meeting. At the urging of the Bay Area ANC, the San Francisco and Santa Clara county Boards of Supervisors sent letters to President Bush calling for the appropriate recognition of the Genocide by the administration.

Community Evening of Commemoration On the evening of April 24th, Armenian-Americans gathered to hear speakers Jean Kossakian, principal of Ferrahian Armenian High School, and Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Armenian Studies lecturer, Fresno State University, in addition to Armenian songs and recitation.

Speaking in Armenian, Kossakian spoke of the importance of continuing to remember the Armenian Genocide, saying that if the Armenian people can continue to celebrate Vartanants after 1500 years, we can surely continue the struggle for recognition of the Genocide until justice prevails.

Kossakian described the evolution of the Hai Tad struggle, beginning with the early decades of lamentation, to the cries of "Our lands, our lands!" to the acts of political assassination, to nations beginning to officially recognize the Genocide, to the struggle for an independent Armenia and Karabakh.

"The entire Diaspora stood together for the independence of Armenia and Karabakh," Kossakian said, adding that Armenia, Karabakh and Javakhk constitute the basis of a free and independent Armenia. "Genocide recognition has become a part of the Armenian foreign policy, and we are now moving into a new era, moving from recognition towards reparations."

Emphasizing the fact that the Armenian Genocide is unique because it not only took lives, but lands and property, Kossakian said the Genocide continues with Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s genocide denial, their claims that Armenians are the newcomers to the region, their continued blockades of Armenia, their construction of a pipeline which bypasses Armenia, and their ever-growing populations compared to Armenia’s diminishing population.

Kossakian said our people must prepare for the day when Armenia will bring the Armenian Case to the International Court of Justice, by continuing to persuade cities, states and nations to recognize the Genocide, persuade governments and schools to include the history in their educational systems, and by developing new approaches to the Armenian Cause. "Within the next few years we have to prove that the Diaspora is represented by Armenia, ask for reparations, and put Turkey on the defensive."

Barlow Der Mugrdechian, speaking in English, also called on Armenians to participate in Armenian life. "While some call for unity," he said, "I would call for unity of spirit."

Der Mugrdechian urged Armenians to see Armenia and Mt. Ararat, not as a tourist experience, but as an educational experience, learning from the people there and contributing in some way. He reminded community members that the Armenian Case is still unresolved and people should participate in the Cause.

"Germany and the Secret Genocide" The Bay Area Armenian National Committee invited the public to a screening of "Germany and the Secret Genocide," and a discussion with filmmaker Michael J. Hagopian. The film, which reveals Germany’s involvement in the Armenian Genocide screened on April 14th at the San Francisco Public Library with a diverse crowd in attendance.

Armenian Students’ Associations of UCB, UCD and Stanford Armenian-American students at three Bay Area universities organized a variety of events: at UCB, students organized lectures, a film screening, and "Hands Across Campus" bringing together many student groups linking hands across campus to take a stand against Armenian Genocide denial and human rights abuses everywhere. At UC Davis, students held a public evening vigil where students and other campus speakers addressed the crowd. At Stanford, the Stanford Daily newspaper published an opinion piece about the need for recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Youth Program and "Hokehankeest" at Mt. Davidson Cross Representatives of the ACYO (Armenian Christian Youth Organization), KZV Armenian School and the HMEM Armenian Scouts conducted a solemn proceeding at the 103-ft Mt. Davidson Cross. Mt. Davidson Cross is the largest cross in the country and stands atop the highest peak in San Francisco overlooking the city. The Armenian-American community of the Bay Area owns the Cross, after having won it at a city auction approved by city voters in 1997. They have been able to maintain ownership and a memorial plaque at the foot of the cross despite several lawsuits by atheists which reached the Supreme Court and a recent lawsuit by the Turkish consul.