“How do we measure the greatness of a struggle, the courage and devotion of a fighter? Of course, first and foremost, by the greatness of the obstacles placed in the path of that struggle. The greater the obstacles, the more difficult and terrifying the war waged by the champions of the ideology…the nobler the soul of the warrior, his moral character, his military momentum.” –M. Vartanian

We would like to introduce to you all the Armenian-American Students & Activists United group website/blog! This group was originally formed in early October of 2007 in response to the immense Armenian-related political issues emerging within the United States and its various government institutions.

This group has continued its program via facebook since, and now we have expanded our network via WorldPress as well as Twitter! We hope you find this group to be an informative and useful resource for all Armenian-related issues and opportunities within the United States, the Republic of Armenia, and abroad.

Interested in directly becoming involved with this group? Express your thoughts, opinions, and perspectives by contributing your work!

We encourage you all to send in – ArmenianAmerica@gmail.com – any personal articles or opinions you may desire to type up regarding Armenian related issues/topics within the United States and abroad, any information in regards to events and/or other resources, or suggestions you may have to better the efforts of this group.

Submitted articles and information will be posted and forwarded to all members as appropriate along with proper recognition.

For more information about the group please visit our Manifesto page.

Cheers & Happy Blogging!

[Photos by Oneworld Multimedia 2007 (Homepage) & Cris Benton (UCB)]

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Secondly, our group will soon be archived by facebook admins. That being said, if you’d like to continue your membership and involvement with the ‘Armenian-American Students & Activists United’, please “like” our facebook page and suggest your friends and family to join as well!

Your membership, involvement and opinions are of great value and without you and your activism, we would be unable to have our voices heard today as Armenian-Americans living/working/studying in the United States and abroad.

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In regards to the 4th of July, the Republic of Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan addressed the American Embassy in Yerevan today stating:

“There is no nation or people that are not striving for independence and freedom,” stressing that American Independence Day marked on July 4 “had and even today has significance not only for the people of the United States, but for all nations, including the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.”

“I take this opportunity to thank your [President Obama's] administration and you personally for persistent and constructive efforts for the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem that are aimed at maintaining peace, stability and security in the region,” President Sargsyan, in particular, said in his message.

“Armenia attaches special importance to the ongoing close cooperation with the United States and warm partnership relations, progressive development of our bilateral relations, further strengthening and deepening of friendship between our peoples and our countries.”

Self-determination, a human right in which the Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabakh have fought and continue to fight day after day until their independence is internationally recognized.

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Again, be sure to “like” our facebook fan page so as to continue your involvement with this group since facebook will be archiving this particular group in due time! You can join our fan page and suggest membership to your friends/family here!

We look forward to your future involvement and wish you all a wonderful Independence Day!

Reference: “Armenian President Sees U.S. Independence as ‘Significant’ for Nagorno-Karabakh”

“The United States is a big country, and it has Armenians strewn across every single state.

Despite the strength of Armenian Americans on the national political stage, there aren’t any events that allow all politically motivated members of the community to congregate in one place to discuss the future of our efforts—except one. The ANCA Leadership Conference, hosted by the ANCA National Headquarters is the only such event.

It is the premiere occasion event where Armenian American activists can gather to learn about the challenges the Armenian Cause faces and an opportunity for them to discuss, face to face, ways to improve the approach to our work.

In the past half century, a lot has changed for Armenians. An independent Armenian state was founded. An historic Armenian land was fought for and regained by the brave sons and daughters of the Armenian nation. The Armenian Genocide went from the brink of being forgotten in many places and denied in others to being discussed on the international stage, with nary a serious denier to be found today.

These developments didn’t happen by accident—activists made them happen. Whether they were declaring independence in Armenia, fighting for independence in Artsakh, or bringing the issue of justice for the Armenian Genocide to the fore, activists were the ones who accepted the personal responsibility of advancing the Armenian Cause.

Now, as the Cause has reached a crossroads, active and powerful but facing resurgent enemies with financial resources greater than that of all Armenians combined, it must change to adapt to the current environment. That’s why the ANCA has entitled this year’s Leadership Conference ‘Armenian Cause 2.0′.

It’s all about the direction to take, learning from the great successes and the occasional shortcomings, while using the community’s potential resources—financial, human and, especially, technological—to forcefully promote the Cause and to unapologetically stand up for what’s right.

This conference is for every Armenian American. The decisions made in Congress are affected by constituents on the ground in their districts and those decisions in turn affect everyone. We as a community must be better prepared to confront the challenges that we will undoubtedly face in the near and distant futures.

We have been fortunate to have dedicated leaders, activists, and benefactors to clear the path over the past decades. Now, with a large, more widely educated, and better integrated Diaspora, we have to seize the power that is ours for the taking. There is no better way to learn how to do this than to hear it from the seasoned veterans of the Armenian Cause while meeting the new generation of leaders who will carry the mantle for the coming many decades.

Do not wait for next time. Armenia can’t wait. Arstakh can’t wait. Javakhk can’t wait. Justice for the Genocide can’t wait. Go to Washington, DC and come back to your community with a renewed vigor and the skills necessary to take the Armenian Cause to the next level—2.0.

To read more about the conference and to register, click here.”

Unfortunately, Dr. Kevorkian came to pass today at the age of 83, however, his message regarding the field of medicine and civil liberties in the United States still remains.

During February, the month of love, the Birthright Armenia Alumni and Committee will be launching the “I Love Armenia” global campaign that will span the course of many months.

Every month, organized alumni from the various countries represented in our alumni network will host a series of events, presentations, havaks and fun promotional activities. These events will highlight our shared love for Armenia by introducing the mission of Birthright Armenia to youth across the globe and encouraging others to participate.

The city of Philadelphia will be host to the first event on February 17th through a joint effort with AGBU Young Professionals.

Follow the campaign on our Facebook page and Twitter account to find out when the campaign will be near your town.

Be on the lookout for events in Washington DC in March, and New York in April!

Click here for event page and info!

WE WILL MARCH:

In memory of 20 year old Zaruhi Petrosyan who was tragically beaten to death by her husband and mother-in-law on October 1, 2010.

In solidarity with the men and women in Armenia who are dedicated to make change within the country.

So that victims of domestic violence, locally and abroad, know that there is hope.

To demand that the Government of Armenia take immediate action to prevent and punish violence against women.

The United Human Rights Council (UHRC) calls on women and men of all ages to join us on January 30th and take this small step towards eradicating domestic abuse.

English Video:

Armenian Video:

Speaker Nancy Pelosi Failed to Schedule a Vote in the US Congress regarding the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.252)

CLICK HERE to take action!

“Tell the Speaker What You Think of her Decision.

Despite a broad bipartisan majority of U.S. Representatives prepared to vote in favor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.252), U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi chose today to let this session of Congress expire without bringing this human rights legislation to a vote.

It’s vital that the Speaker hear from you right now about her decision to block the adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

Simply type in your name, address and email below and click ‘Send Message’. The ANCA will print and deliver your letter to the Representative Pelosi.

Thank you for your devotion and support!”

The US Congress is coming to a close for this term and the Armenian-American Community has one last issue to resolve before it’s over.

Do your part and call Speaker Pelosi at (202) 225-4965 urging her to honor her pledge and bring H.Res.252 the Armenian Genocide Resolution to a vote.

Please also call House Majority Leader Hoyer at (202) 225-3130 with the same message.

It takes 30 seconds out of your day, make the world of difference we’re all counting on!

Click here to find the Congressional Representative in your area.

BBC Documentary: Armenian Genocide, “The Betrayed”

“The genocide is not a set event in our history, it’s part of our daily life.”

-Armenian Clergy

Photo: ANCA Western Region Community Relations Director Haig Hovsepian (left) and ANCA Bay Area leader Matthew Senekeremian rally the grassroots in support of H.Res.252.

Make sure to stay up-to-date with us on Twitter!

Dear Friend,

You’ve read the news.

The international media, including just today the Associated Press, is reporting that the U.S. House may vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H. Res. 252, this coming Tuesday, December 21st.

The Turkish lobby is attacking this resolution full force, as is the Obama Administration, which said this past week that it is “strongly opposed” to the adoption of this human rights measure.

With the truth on our side, we’re fighting back. On Capitol Hill and across the country. District by district, we’re working to get America on the right side of this issue.

One of our most powerful assets is the vast social network that individual Armenians have developed over the years – reaching tens of millions of Americans, through relatives, neighbors, classmates, work colleagues, business contacts, and friends.

These contacts can prove decisive in getting H.Res.252 adopted. But we need your help to get them engaged. Simply Cut & Paste this “Dear Friends” note (below) into email messages and Facebook, MySpace, and other social media posts to friends and family. Feel free to personalize with your own story.

Please make a special effort to reach people who live outside of areas like Boston, New York, or Los Angeles, with lots of Armenians. It’s vital that legislators hear from citizens from across the United States.

Don’t be shy, ask everyone for help. This is a truly great and worthwhile cause, in the best of the American and Armenian traditions.

Sincerely,

Aram Hamparian

ANCA

PS: Please be creative in expressing yourself. Consider using your Profile Photo, your Status, or anything else you can think of to help spread the word.

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Cut and paste this text:

Dear Friends,

In this season of giving, I ask you to give the gift of a 30 second phone call to ask your U.S. Representative to vote YES on H.Res.252, a resolution that simply calls for U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

The U.S. House appears set to vote on this human rights measure this Tuesday, its last day in session!

So, please, first thing Monday morning, call your U.S. Representative’s Washington, DC office to ask for a YES vote on H.Res.252. You can get all the details, including the phone number to call, a phone script, and information about this legislation at www.anca.org.

Calling is quick, easy – and for a great human rights cause.

Your call can make a real difference, but, with Congress about to adjourn, time is running out.

If you’ve never called Congress before, it’s easier than you think. A receptionist will answer your call and write down your message. These offices get hundreds of calls a day, treat callers respectfully, and value hearing your views.

After calling your U.S. Representative, consider making two more quick calls to leave messages asking the top leaders of the U.S. House to bring the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.252, to a vote.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: 202-225-0100

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer: (202) 225-3130

If you have any questions, please send me a Facebook message or write me an email.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Wonderful 2011 to all!

PS: One more favor, please send this note to 10 friends.

Checkout this CNN special on Armenia’s Carahunge region:

Carahunge, Armenia:

“In the mountains of nowadays Armenia (in the south, close to town Goris), the first observatory Carahunge (Car-means stone, hunge-means voice, sound) was created.

It has a history of 7.500 years and scientists believe, that there is a tight connection between the observatory in Armenia and Stonehenge in Britain, since the latter is much younger (about 4000 years) and the name itself is similar to the Armenian name and the second half of the name (hange) does not really mean anything in English,” (Carahunge.com).

UPDATE: December 20, 2010

History Channel: Armenian Stonehenge, Unexplained Structures

(Stars & Stones 2010 – Oxford, England)