Los Angeles, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) shall participate in the 2008 Advocacy Days Seminar, which will be cohosted by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and the Genocide Intervention Network (GI-Net). During March 12-14, 2008, activists from the western United States will travel to Washington, DC to join constituents from across the country in advocating on issues that concern the Armenian American community.

“This advocacy event promises to be a tremendous success,” stated ANCA-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian. “Building on the remarkable progress of the 2007 March seminar is an exciting proposition. Armenian American issues have once again come to the fore of Washington, DC politics, and I am proud to know that the Armenian American community will be out in full force on Capitol Hill,” he added.

In March 22-23, 2007, activists from the western United States descended upon Washington, DC to join with GI-Net to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide Resolutions (H. Res. 106 and S. Res. 106), targeted Sudan Divestment Legislation (S. 831) and to ensure proper funding for peacekeepers to help stop the ongoing genocide in Darfur. The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs held a hearing on October, 3, 2007 on S. 831, while H. Res. 106 passed through the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on October 10, 2007 despite unprecedented public opposition from the President of the United States.

The March 12-14, 2008 advocacy seminar will focus on continuing to educate and inform elected officials on the need to end the cycle of genocide by acknowledging, without conditions, the genocides of the past. The partnership with GI-NET, in addition to various other humanitarian activist groups represents a growing trend of standing up against powerful interests that wish to oppose genocide recognition and prevention efforts.

Please stay tuned for more information.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Photo Caption: The Capitol.