Nevada governor issues Armenian Genocide proclamationApril 1, 2015 - 14:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Nevada governor Brian Sandoval, issued a proclamation commemorating the Armenian Genocide, declaring April 19-26 as the “Day of Remembrance of The Armenian Genocide,” Massis Post reports. Spearheaded by the Armenian Council of America (ACA) Nevada Chapter, the proclamation condemns the systematic murder and deportations of 1.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, highlighting the plight of the Armenian people and the refuge they sought in the U.S. during that time. The proclamation also honors the Armenian-American community in Nevada, citing that the “thriving community is a proud reminder of survival and determination even in the face of extreme injustice.” Calling upon the House of Representatives and the President of the U.S. to recognize the atrocities, the proclamation also reiterates Turkey’s responsibility “to acknowledge the facts of the Armenian Genocide.” The proclamation says: WHEREAS, on the night of April 24, 1915, more than 200 leaders in the Armenian community, in the city known today as Istanbul, were arrested. Sent to prison, most were executed, beginning a horrible, systemic killing and forced relocation of the Armenian people that would last until 1923. During these years, the government of the Ottoman Empire claimed the lives of 1.5 million Armenians and forced 500,000 more from their homeland. The Armenian Genocide was a terrible breach of human rights and an event that has outraged the world; and WHEREAS, the atrocities carried out against the Armenian people were grave and unimaginable, as they were subjected to deportation, abduction, torture, starvation, and more. And as with any violent conflict, Armenian women and children suffered the worst abuses. The bulk of the Armenian population that was displaced from their homes was forced to escape to neighboring as well as faraway countries. Many fled to the United States; and WHEREAS, today Nevada is honored to be home to a vibrant growing Armenian-American population. This thriving community is a proud reminder of survival and determination even in the face of extreme injustice; and WHEREAS, as Americans and Nevadans, it is our duty to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide and to participate in the remembrance and mourning of the loss of innocent lives a century ago; and WHEREAS, as Americans and Nevadans, we call upon Congress and the President of the United States to recognize the atrocities committed against the Armenian people, and call upon the Republic of Turkey to acknowledge the facts of the Armenian Genocide and work toward a just resolution; NOW, THEREFORE, I, BRIAN SANDOVAL, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim April 19-26, 2015, as “Days of remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.” According to a press release by the RA Foreign Ministry press office, a similar resolution was adopted by the Lieutenant Governor of Nevada, President of Nevada State Senate Mark Hutchison, who, in turn, called upon Nevada citizens to raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide and attend commemoration events honoring the memory of innocent victims. 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 | 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. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” |