WASHINGTON, DC–Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) activists from all over the United States energetically descended on Washington DC March 22-23, to participate in the "End the Cycle of Genocide: Grassroots Capitol Campaign." The campaign was jointly organized by the ANCA and the Genocide Intervention Network (GIN). The two-day advocacy initiative brought together hundreds of human rights and genocide awareness activists from California and 24 other states across the United States. Participants drove home their message by asking their federal representatives to support a Targeted Divestment for Darfur, US funding for peacekeeping efforts in Darfur, and Armenian Genocide Resolution, HRes 106. The campaign began with a breakfast briefing featuring members of the GIN and ANCA explaining the current status of the Darfur Divestment campaign and the Armenian Genocide Resolution. Attendees also participated in a grassroots advocacy briefing. Following a question and answer period, participants converged on the halls of Congress engaging elected officials and advocating the issues in an organized, effective and powerful manner. "This two-day visit to Washington, DC comes at a critical and opportune time," commented Andrew Kzirian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region. "Through the power of grassroots, we’re here to send a clear message to Capitol Hill, that it is no longer acceptable to remain silent on the issue of genocide and that Congress must defend American values by speaking clearly and forcefully against all genocides and genocide denial." The Armenian Genocide resolution, HRes 106, currently has the support of over 180 cosponsors and recently similar legislation was introduced in the Senate, SRes 106. Activists participating in the two-day campaign hailed from over 25 states and met with all 535 offices in the US House of Representatives and the US Senate. The advocacy days are part of an unprecedented grassroots mobilization effort being led by the ANCA to secure passage of the Armenian Genocide resolution and to demand action on Darfur.
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