Asbarez Armenian Daily Newspaper, News Report,
Staff, Sep 28, 2004
WATERTOWN, Mass.–In an unprecedented event held by the Armenian-American community in support of an electoral campaign for the presidency of the United States, hundreds of activists gathered at Camp Haiastan in Franklin, Mass., for the all-day music festival Armenstock 2004.
People from as far as Austin, Tex., and Racine, Wash., trekked to the camp to show their support for presidential candidate Senator John Kerry (D-MA).
The music festival, “Kef for Kerry” (kef is a type of Middle Eastern music) was organized jointly by Armenians for Kerry and Pomegranate Music. Over 800 people came out to support the candidate who, as president, is expected to positively address issues pertinent to Armenian-Americans.
Combining a celebration of Armenian music with political activism, Armenstock also featured several guest speakers who touched on the importance of the 2004 presidential elections, and the need to guarantee Armenian-Americans get out and vote on November 2.
POLITICS
A long-time supporter of Armenian issues, U.S. Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) thanked the Armenian community for its perseverance in demanding justice for the Armenian genocide, as it has heightened public awareness for the need to rectify all human rights violations. Congressman Frank compared the records of Senator Kerry and the Bush Administration on Armenian and non-Armenian issues and urged the audience to get actively involved in the campaign for the next two months. He concluded by reading a strongly-worded statement that John Kerry had sent to Armenstock attendees.
In his statement, Senator Kerry publicly committed that a Kerry-Edwards administration would “fight against the denial of the Armenian genocide.” Kerry explained that it has been his “privilege, over the past two decades, to work with the Armenian community on important issues including U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations and trade, lifting the devastating blockades of Armenia, and working for a fair and lasting peace in Nagorno Karabagh.” He added that he is “honored to have the endorsement of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA),” and appreciates the organization’s “work to encourage Armenian-Americans around the country to go to the polls in record numbers for the Kerry-Edwards ticket on November 2nd.”
U.S. Congressman James McGovern, who represents Worcester, as well as Franklin (where Camp Haiastan is located), stressed the importance of the upcoming election for the future of U.S. foreign policy. McGovern, a leading human rights advocate in Congress, praised the ANCA for working to combat all cases of genocide, most recently by joining protests against events in Sudan. He emphasized that a Kerry Administration would mean a more virtuous U.S. foreign policy, based on principle and human rights.
Massachusetts State Representatives Rachel Kaprielian and Peter Koutoujian pointed out the importance of grassroots, people-to-people contacts with potential voters, especially in the electoral battleground states.
Pursuant to this goal, the ANCA distributed postcards as part of its recently launched “Hye Voter Turnout” campaign. Over one thousand postcards, addressed to Armenians-Americans in various swing states, were signed at Armenstock encouraging them to vote John Kerry for President. The postcards compare Bush and Kerry on 5 key issues: genocide recognition, aid to Armenia and Karabagh, U.S.-Armenia trade and investment, military aid parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and ending the blockade of Armenia.
Rep. Koutoujian reflected on the importance of the election from his perspective as both an Armenian-American and as an elected official. He read a statement by Congressman Frank Pallone of New Jersey, co-chairman of the Congressional Armenian Caucus.
In his statement, Pallone noted that Armenian-Americans would have a clear choice come November: “On the one hand, they will have President Bush, who has walked away from his commitments to the Armenian community. On the other, they will have Senator Kerry, a leading advocate of Armenian issues who has proven himself time and again as a friend of the Armenian community.”
THE MUSIC
Armenstock showcased performances by some of the finest Armenian musicians in one unique venue. One of the stars popular to most Armenian-Americans, oud virtuoso John Berberian, was featured in many of the festival’s musical sets, playing with Night Ark founder Ara Dinkjian, folk musician Gor Mkhitarian, and in a special dueling performance alongside oudist John Bilezikjian. The latter was a historic pairing; the first public performance together of oud masters Berberian and Bilezikjian, and also John Bilezikjian’s Boston area debut.
The festival opened with performances by the Arev Armenian Folk Ensemble, displaying their continued dedication to creating music using authentic Armenian folk instruments, and jazz pianist Vardan Ovsepian and his group. The vocal group Cascade Folk Tri took to the stage in mid-afternoon showcasing Ohanna Mtghyan, whose stunning voice reverberated throughout the campgrounds.
The highlight of the festival however was the closing solo performance by percussionist Arto Tuncboyaciyan, who played in the camp’s Great Hall. The founder of the Armenian Navy Band and frequent guest studio musician mesmerized the entire audience with his mastery of the various percussion instruments and his extraordinary vocalizations in a unique language of his own invention.
KERRY’S POLITICS
Senator Kerry has a long history of fighting for Armenian Genocide recognition in the U.S. Congress. In 1990 he stood alongside former Senator Bob Dole in support of dedicating April 24 as a day of remembrance. He is also a current cosponsor of the Senate Genocide Resolution (S.Res.164), which marks the 15th anniversary of the U.S. implementation of the UN Genocide Convention and calls on the United States to learn from the lessons of past genocides–including the Holocaust and the Armenian, Cambodian and Rwandan genocides–to prevent future atrocities.
Additionally, few know that he is the author of Section 907, an amendment to the Freedom Support Act of 1992, which placed restrictions on U.S. economic support to Azerbaijan as a result of its continued blockade of Armenia and Mountainous Karabagh Republic. Lately he has taken strides for improving trade relations with Armenia.
As part of its drive to mobilize Armenian-American voters, the Armenians for Kerry have established chapters in states throughout the United States. Armenstock 2004 – Kef for Kerry was organized by Armenians for Kerry chapters in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Also attending were representatives of the Armenians for Kerry chapters in Wisconsin, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.
Yorumlar kapatıldı.