Over 1500 Armenian community members hold “Obama, Keep Your Promise” rally

PanARMENIAN.Net - With loud chants of “Obama, Keep Your Promise,” more than 1,500 Armenian community members gathered at the Sony Picture Studios Thursday, April 21 afternoon for a demonstration urging the president, who is on a fundraising trip to Los Angeles, to keep his campaign promise and recognize the Armenian Genocide.

When addressing the crowd that gathered in front of the studio gates, System of A Down frontman and human rights activist Serj Tankian urged protesters to face the gate and by raising their right fist continuously repeat “As President, I will recognize the Genocide,” a familiar campaign promise made by then candidate Obama during the 2008 presidential race.

In his remarks, Tankian thanked the demonstrators and explained that the gathering was not just for the Obama Administration’s broken promise about the Genocide, but also to echo collective disappointment in all the campaign promises that the president has not kept. Tankian highlighted that justice and human rights must prevail and urged the community to continue its activism and press ahead.

Community activist Hovan Tashdjian addressed the crowd in Armenian and reiterated the community’s disappointment in the failure for the Obama Administration to adhere to its promises, while pointing out that the Turkish government, which Obama seeks to appease, is still pursuing the very policies that led to the Genocide.

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region Board chairman, Andrew Kzirian informed the protesters that his organization had sent a letter to Obama asking him to lay a wreath at the Montebello Armenian Martyrs’ Monument during his Los Angeles-area visit. Kzirian explained that the ANCA-WR received a form letter back from the White House claiming a conflict in the president schedule.

Almost all local channels were broadcasting live from the venue, and led their afternoon broadcasts with the news of the protest and interviewed organizers about the purpose of the protest, Asbarez reported.