The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region continues to mourn the tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer on May 25. This horrific killing stands as yet another shameful example of the racial injustice still deeply entrenched and institutionalized in the United States today.
As an organization committed to achieving justice for the victims of the deliberate and systematic killings on the basis of race and ethnicity we know as genocide, and as an organization that continues to combat and condemn the state-sponsored discrimination and incitement of violence perpetrated against our people in the world today, we condemn in the strongest possible terms the institutionalized discrimination and violence black communities face in our country.
We are also deeply saddened by the incitement and escalation of violence occurring across the country. We support the right to peaceful protest as a powerful demonstration of solidarity in the face of oppression. We are deeply concerned by excessive crackdowns on the fundamental right to free speech and assembly that have unfortunately resulted in the death of protesters, and the arrest and injury of journalists. We also strongly condemn the looting and rioting which have destroyed so many small businesses in local communities and have served as nothing more than a distraction from the important message conveyed by peaceful protesters. Such acts have been carried out by a small minority of provocateurs and opportunists and are not representative of the movement or the cause.
We must not allow these isolated incidents of violence to define this movement or obscure the cause for protest: the systemic inequality and injustice faced by communities of color in our country today. The legacy of slavery and segregation is a wound we are yet to close, and one that will continue to haunt its people until the injustice and inequities black communities face is confronted. That process can only start with recognition and accountability.
The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region stands in solidarity with the peaceful demonstrators in calling for justice for the death of George Floyd and all those who have become victims of racial injustice in the United States.
We call for the immediate deescalation of violence, a more compassionate approach by law enforcement toward peaceful protesters who are simply exercising our shared fundamental right to freedom of speech and assembly, and tangible steps toward finding short and long term solutions. Tremendous change is needed to achieve equal justice for all, and as a community-based organization, we stand ready to be a part of the important conversation to help us all move forward toward reform and mutual respect and understanding.
To me it looks like any where/any time unjustness and inhumanity could occur and carried on by ruthless unlawful people who don’t consider all humans are brothers and sisters and they are innocent until proven guilty by law..
And it reminds me of our Armenian Genocide, a million and half of innocent Armenian men, women and children were massacred with no guilt,; and I heard that when the Turkish police invaded my grand father’s house to deport them there was a 2 year old daughter who couldn’t get up to be deported the Turkish police with a crowd tied her leg with a rope and dragged her to her death her name was Mariam; and another terrible thing they did to the couple of moths old son of theirs who was im the arms of his mother in the way of deportation , the infant started crying and created the mother to lag behind and not catching up with the deported caravan; so the Turkish police snached the infant from her arms and throw him on the rocks to die and dragged the mother away.
These kind of injustices should never be forgotten and the whole world should condemn tthose who deny it.
Very nice statement on the need for Racial Justice in America.
Hopefully, these nice words will result in actions that the ANC will take when it decides who to endorse for different local, state and national elected offices and also when it comes to advocating for specific legislation to change the systemic laws, policies that continue to create a unjust society for millions of people living in America.
We as Armenians know that ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS through our own efforts for Justice as a result of the Genocide.