As one of the prime markets for taxi service in Southern California, Santa Monica has long been the home for local Armenian businesses and drivers trying to make a living. But that might soon change.

In June, as part of an ordinance to overhaul the taxi system in Santa Monica, the City Hall staff recommended  only 5 taxicab companies be allowed to operate in the city. Out of these five companies, none are Armenian owned or operated and only two are locally-based in the city. This, despite the fact that 6 locally-run and experienced Armenian companies put up valid bids for a franchise.

When the local taxi drivers got word of the recommendation, they were shocked and outraged. They staged a protest in front of the City Council the same day that the recommendation was to be voted on (see footage below). Due to the outcry, the City Council members decided to postpone their decision until September.

As it stands, the 7 members on the Council will be the final judge of the fate for the over 250 Armenian taxi drivers and their families who work in Santa Monica. The Armenian companies and drivers have continued to voice their opposition to the recommendation and demand a fairer, more inclusive awarding of the franchises.

It is up to our community to stand behind them in their fight.

On his recent visit to France, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili gave a talk at the Paris Institute of Political Science, where he sought to paint a picture of his regime being a bastion of democracy in the Caucuses.

There was just one hitch in his plan: members of the AYF in France (ARF Nor Seround) were in the audience to challenge him on his government’s ongoing violations of the cultural and human rights of Armenians living in Javakhk.

The Nor Seround members asked him when his government was going to stop its policies of discrimination and repression against Armenians, and heed the calls of the UN Human Rights Committee and Council of Europe to promote the participation of national minorities in the political and cultural life of Georgia.

Regrettably, Saakashvili’s response was one of arrogance and ignorance, claiming that Armenians in Javakhk were satisfied with their conditions and that everything was fine. Such a detachment from reality and denial of the facts has been a sad hallmark of Georgian state policy.

This head-in-the-sand approach is ill-advised and can only lead to greater discontent and tension. It is high time for Saakashvili to live up to his rhetoric of democracy, end the repression against activists in Javakhk and ensure equal representation and cultural rights for the Armenian population.

In April, the AYF teamed with local band VIZA to put on an April 24 social justice concert to raise awareness of the Armenia Genocide. The event was a great success thanks to our members and community supporters and raised unprecedented amounts of money for two Armenian orphanages. You can read about the April 24 concert here…

The band, a mix of musicians and activists, has been very active in the Armenian-American community, working with grassroots organizations like the AYF and ANC to help educate, motivate and active the youth on human rights, genocide prevention and social justice.

VIZA is now gearing up for a big show on Saturday, June 19 and they need community support. The concert will take place at the Key Club, located on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood and the show begins at 8:00pm.

This time the rock band will team up the Armenian National Committee-Professional Network (ANC-PN) to educate and activate concert-goers about current efforts to end U.S. complicity in Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide. You can read more about the Key Club concert here…

Long time activist and former Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee-Western Region, Andrew Kzirian plays the oud (traditional Armenian instrument) for VIZA and has been instrumental in bringing civic engagement into the band’s mission. For him, there is “no better way to work with the community than to blend music and awareness through music.” You can buy ticket’s here…

A historic hot spot, the Key Club has seen the likes of Bon Jovi, The Doors, Van Halen, Alice Cooper, Tom Petty, Motley Crue, Guns ‘N Roses, ‘N Sync, Incubus, Kanye West, Prince, The Roots, Def Leppard, and other legends come through its doors.

By reaching out to concert-goers at the VIZA show this Saturday night, the ANC-PN hopes to bring political awareness and community involvement to the Sunset Strip. “The strong response we expect to see at the show will exemplify that Armenian Genocide recognition is something that all Americans care about and is not just an Armenian issue.” says ANC-PN Board Member Vicken Chitilian, who will be working the ANC booth inside the Key Club entrance.

The show is the band’s first since coming back from their East Coast tour in New York City and Philadelphia and will be sure to be a packed house.

On their East Coast tour, VIZA joined with the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Eastern Region, Armenian Youth Federation, and Cyprus Action Network to educate and activate concert-goers about current efforts to end U.S. complicity in Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide and end Turkey’s illegal occupation of Cyprus. Read about the East Coast tour here…

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW

On June 6, the ARF concluded its 15th Supreme Assembly in Armenia. The assembly and the newly-elected governing body of the party have made no qualms about the need for fundamental change in the government and society of Armenia.

It is clear that the ARF is increasingly emphasizing internal socio-economic issues and pointing to the need for a bottom-up movement in the country.

In a recent interview with Lragir.am, ARF Supreme Council member and National Assembly Parliamentarian Ara Nranyan stated:

“People need to understand that they must struggle for their rights. If everybody sits alone in their houses, no political force–not even the ARF–can solely secure for them higher wages, higher pensions, and so on. In other words, it is necessary for citizens to struggle collectively around socio-economic issues. In the forthcoming period, we are putting our emphasis on raising the level of activism among the public.”

When asked why the ARF, unlike the non-parliamentary opposition of Levon Ter-Petrosian, is not calling for the resignation of Serj Sargsyan,  Nranyan responded by explaining:

“Those who think that the President will simply resign due to the announcement of one or two political forces can by no means be serious. The ARF, as a serious political party, is not interested in carrying out empty steps that will not have any effect. That same resignation and regime change you refer to needs to be prepared through actual work. We do not want to come out with some statement that we are not in a position to immediately put into reality, but that also does not mean that we will not go in that direction. Our emphasis is on changing the public atmosphere. If the public realizes that this government is incapable of solving the challenges facing the nation, than the large majority of citizens would not accept bribes for their votes. If the public sees that there is a genuine alternative, then by refusing a bribe of 5000 dram for his vote they will help ensure real change and secure a brighter future for themselves and their children. The truth is, the grassroots organizing of the public in this manner has not yet been completely carried out, neither by us nor the non-parliamentary opposition.”

On the final question of whether or not the ARF would try to bring people out into the streets, Nranyan states:

“Right now, we will be actively working on organizing the public and working with representatives from different segments and spheres. We will be working not only in the capital but also in the marzes. As for your question, we do not rule out that possibility.”

Expressing yourself is probably one of the most important things you can do in your life. Photography is magic. Since it started about 200 years ago it still hasn’t left us. Mediums like film and music owe a lot of their method to photography. For me personally, I love capturing moments, things that move, things that need to stand still to be more appreciated. To me photography is all about the details.

The creation of details that aren’t appreciated to their maximum potential at their very moment of existence. Things that need to live on passed their moment of occurrence. Things in need of being shared, remembered, or cherished. Photo is also about feeling; love, hate, passion, beauty, ignorance.

A picture is captured, but so much is remembered, and photography is the only art form that can gather so much detail from a single moment of what’s really there, the truth, and re-present it in such a reflective and clearly understood and digested form.

I started working with photography from the age of 17. I got into because of my passion for filmmaking, but the magic of it just stuck with me. I left it aside for a while, then in 2009, while I was a student at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, I picked it up again. Black and white photography is true magic in my opinion, because it never ceases to amaze me. Digital is fun, and you can do a lot with it, it really let’s you be as creative as possible, whereas with film you end trying to make the image come out before you think of experimentation.

The black and white photos you see below are from my time at Art Center. Two of them are from a series called Armerica: a documentary of Armenian-American immigrant businesses.

Sarco

Sarkis Iknadossian immigrated to the United States from Aleppo, Syria with his wife in the late 1970’s. After opening a small convenient store in Montebello, California Sarkis was quickly shut down because of the opening of a 7/11 market across the street.

Sarco

After re-establishing his family closer to the Armenian Community, in Glendale, Sarkis decided to open a household supply store in what is known today as Little Armenia, in Hollywood.

In addition to selling common household appliances, Sarkis also repairs kitchen and household electronics, such as vacuums, electric stoves, and toasters. Sarkis says that in recent years their business has once again fallen victim to competition coming from bigger stores and companies. Already past the age of retirement, Sarkis and his Wife continue to work despite their lack of energy to compete.

‘Round The Clock Cleaners

‘Round The Clock Cleaners has been owned and operated by the Kasparian family for over 20 years. The Kasparian’s immigrated the United States in the early 1980‘s, during the Lebanese Civil War. Their business became the very resource for their establishment in the United States. The location you see is currently managed by the Kasparian son, Johnny Kasparian. The family has also opened a few other locations that cater to various parts of the Pasadena and greater Los Angeles area.

Round the Clock

The Accordion Man was taken at the 3rd street promenade on a sunday evening. Summer of 2009.

The Accordian Man

In December of 2009 I ventured on to Armenia with the Birthright Armenia program. I spent most of my time there volunteering at Bars Media Documentary Film Studio and Manana Youth Center. Bars Media has been responsible for documentary films ranging in topics ranging from the Karapagh war, Tightrope Dancers in Armenia, and Donkeys in Lamu, Kenya. Their latest project The Last Tightrope Dancer in Armenia is what I worked on for the most part, translating dialogue for subtitles in English and promoting the film in the festival circuit.

Manana Youth Center is an after school center for kids in Yerevan that offers classes in Photography, Filmmaking, and Animation. I had a lot of fun working with them as a teachers assistant and helping out with whatever random tasks they needed.

Armenia was a great experience. I learned a lot from being around a completely different atmosphere for those 4 months. I took a lot of photos on my trip, but these two stuck out the most for me. One is probably very recognizable, the Mabib Babig statue in The Free Republic of Artsakh (Nogorno Kharapagh).

Mamig and Babig

The other is an old soviet car I would pass by on my way to the bus stop on a daily basis. I call that one A Daily Sight.

A Daily Sight.

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Editor’s Note: High resolution print copies of the photos in this blog can be purchased from this author for $45. Mammig and Babig and a Daily Sight are available for $55 . For more information, visit Avo’s website at avojohn.com or email/call him at: avojohn@me.com/818-251-6008. For more information about Birthright Armenia check out birthrightarmenia.org

Last month, the AYF Orange County ‘Ashod Yergat’ Chapter brought together eight young Armenian artists from in and around the Orange and LA county areas to showcase their work for a two-day art festival on the weekend of May 22-23.

Almost all of the artists were selling their pieces at prices varying from $15 to $1,000. The event was free admission and all of the proceeds were benefiting the artists.

The exhibition featured works from painters and photographers. The two photographers both had a different way of expressing their work. One, had photographs of nature and objects focusing on using different filters that added effect to each of the pictures. The second photographer was able to capture the everyday life of the people in Armenia in either black and white or sepia adding a very deep effect. The six artists all used either color pencil, oil or watercolors.

As a member of the Orange County Chapter, I feel that it was definitely a successful event. We wanted to make sure that we somehow helped artists within our  community which we feel was successfully done. We thank our artists and guests for participating and we hope to do this event again next year.

Please feel free to contact the AYF-OC if you are interested in any of the below work.  email: ashod.yergat@ayfwest.org

“It should be known that we will not stay silent and unresponsive in the face of this inhuman state terror,” said Erdogan. “International law has been trampled underfoot.” Other Turkish officials have followed suit, condemning Israel for its “savagery” and attacks on innocent civilians.

It is interesting to hear such criticisms coming from a country that remains an unrepentant perpetrator of the first genocide of the twentieth century, maintains an illegal blockade of Armenia, illegally occupies 1/3 of the island of Cyprus, systematically oppresses its Kurdish population and throws innocent Kurdish children into prison (see the below BBC report video).

Now if that’s not the pot calling the kettle black, we don’t know what is.

You can take action on this issue; Click here to alert your Senators and Representatives to Turkey’s shameless attempts to take the moral high ground despite its record of non-stop abuse at home and violence abroad.

LOS ANGELES–Wilshire Blvd. at San Vicente and McCarthy Vista was shut down on Saturday April 24 as thousands rallied in the street across from the Turkish Consulate to demand justice and recognition for the Armenian Genocide after 95 years of cover up from the Turkish government.

The demonstration, organized by the Armenian Youth Federation, came hours after President Barack Obama refused, for a second time, to uphold his campaign pledge and properly characterize the crime committed against the Armenian people as Genocide.

Angered and feeling betrayed by their president,  Armenian Americans called on Obama on Saturday to lift the foreign gag-rule imposed on US policy by the Turkish government and its hired lobbyists. Demonstrators also criticized Turkey for its 95-year campaign of genocide denial, which has been intensified in recent years as a response to a growing movement for genocide recognition both in and out of Turkey. Activists also derided the failed Turkish-Armenian protocols and threats by Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan to deport Turkey’s Armenian population if efforts to win US recognition of the genocide do not end.

Speaking at the event were AYF-WR Chairman Arek Santikian, ARF Activist Mico Melkonian, and LA City Council Member Paul Krekorian.

We present photos and video footage below:

AYF Chairman Arek Santikian speaks about the urgency and force of a new generation seeking justice for the Armenian Genocide

KTLA Channel 5 coverage of the protest featuring AYF member Vache Thomassian

An Areal View of the Protest shot from the top of a U-Haul Truck

LA City Councilmen Paul Krekorian Speaks at April 24 Protest

AYF Member Tro Krikorian Discusses Worldwide Movement for Armenian Genocide Recognition

Nareen Melkonian talks about her personal fight against Armenian Genocide denial

Protesters close down Wilshire Blvd.

Street Footage from the protest

ANC Activist Vicken Sonentz Papazian talks about importance of commemorating Genocide 95 years after crime

Time For US Government to Recognize Genocide, Says ANC-WR Chairperson Aida Dimejian

AYF Chairman Arek Santikian speaks to sold out crowd at Silence the Lies! Rock the Truth! benefit concert

Armenians Remember the Pain and Will Continue to Struggle for Genocide Recognition

Jim Lafferty from KPFK speaks on Armenian Genocide at AYF Silence the Lies Benefit Concert

The Armenian Genocide may have occurred 95 years ago, but for community members such as Tzolag Hovsepian, the atrocious crimes Armenians fell victim to remain burned in their mind’s eye.

“By the time our people reached the deserts of Syria, half  had already died from starvation,” recalled Mr. Hovsepian, whose family fell victim to the death marches ordered by the Ottoman government. “They would gather us all and, one by one, kill us,” he added as he was flooded with the renewed grief of remembering the past.

Now in his 90’s, Mr. Hovsepian is still adamant about the need to take part in Armenian Genocide commemorative activities such as the AYF’s protest this Saturday in front of the Turkish Consulate.

He has made it his life’s goal to never forget the murder of his ancestors, and to strive to achieve justice for their memories.  “From 1966 on, I’ve attended commemorations to pay my respects to the 1.5 million Armenians killed and I plan on attending again to lay a flower at the memorial in respect to my lost family members.”

In light of Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide, Mr. Hovsepian heatedly explained that, “It was impossible on April 24, to gather all the Armenian intellectuals in one place without a premeditated thought.” On the eve of April 24, 1915, more than 250 Armenian intellectuals, including prominent Ottoman Parliamentary members such as Krikor Zohrab, were rounded up and murdered as part of the Turkish government’s plan to systematically eradicate the Armenian population.

“Several European countries have recognized the Armenian Genocide,” he continued, “This is because we have proof on our side. Look at the US National Archives, look at the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times from those years – the proof is there.”

To stand with Mr. Hovsepian and countless others who will honor the memory of our fallen this April 24, visit www.AYFwest.org.