AYF to host Roxanne Makasdjian’s documentary screening

PanARMENIAN.Net - The United Human Rights Council (UHRC) of the Armenian Youth Federation – Western Region’s (AYF-WR) is hosting a screening of Roxanne Makasdjian (Bezjian)’s documentary “Charles Garry: Streetfighter in the Courtroom” and panel discussion on Sunday, Feb 28, according to Asbarez.

The event will be held at Occidental College in Eagle Rock, California, and is co-sponsored by the Occidental College Armenian Students’ Association and Black Student Alliance.

The one-hour documentary tells the story of Armenian-American defense attorney Charles Garry, who was noted for his defense of political activist groups including the Black Panthers, Los Siete de la Raza, the Oakland 7 and the Chicago 8.

Streetfighter highlights Garry’s childhood and experiences with anti-Armenian and xenophobic racism in the Central Valley of California, and how his background as the son of Armenian refugees escaping the 1890’s Hamidian massacres shaped his career.

“This is the second edition of this year’s ‘Haytoug Talks’, a series of panels, film screenings, and other conversations hosted by the AYF-WR to engage the Armenian-American community with unique topics that are not often extensively addressed”, said Mikael Matossian, current co-chairperson of the UHRC.

“Charles Garry’s legacy is a symbol of the intersection between African- and Armenian-American experiences. We hope to use the film and discussion to not only highlight those parallels of the past, but also explore the current conditions of both communities, including today’s systematic anti-Blackness in the United States and oppression of Armenian citizens in the Republic of Turkey,” added Matossian.

“I’m very gratified that Charles (Garabedian) Garry’s life and work, which I tried to share through this documentary, can still serve to inspire our youth to continue the fight for justice for all,” stated Makasdjian, who produced, directed and edited the film.

The organizers of the event aim for the panel discussion to not only focus on Garry’s life and impact, but also highlight the various intersectionalities between the Armenian- and African-American communities, and the contemporary issues that these communities face in both in the United States and globally.