Armenian Youth Federation-YOARF Eastern US

80 Bigelow Ave

Watertown, MA 02472

Tel. (617) 923-1933

Fax (617) 924-1933

www.ayf.org

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Dzovig Essajanian

(617) 923-1933

January 27, 2007

AYF-YOARF Members Remember Assassinated Armenian Journalist Hrant Dink

WATERTOWN, Mass. – Since the January 19 assassination of Istanbul-based Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, members of Armenian Youth Federation-Youth Organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (AYF-YOARF) Eastern Region have honored his memory within their local communities through rallies and vigils.

Dink was assassinated outside the offices of the Armenian and Turkish language Agos newspaper in Istanbul. As the newspaper's founder and editor Dink aimed to make the publication a voice of democracy in Turkey, a place where discrimination against the Armenians could be heard, and a site of dialogue between Armenian and Turkish communities.

Last year the 53-year-old editor was found guilty and given a suspended six-month sentence in Turkey for "insulting Turkishness" under the Turkish Penal Code because he talked about Armenian identity and the Genocide.

On January 24, members of the Chicago Ararat chapter attended a demonstration outside the Turkish consulate expressing their concern over Dink's murder. On the same day the Washington Ani AYF chapter joined by their local ARF and the Greater Washington chapter of the Armenian National Committee (ANC) gathered outside the Turkish Embassy to condemn Dink's assassination. The group called for an end to the repression of free speech in Turkey and for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. A day earlier members of the New York Hyortik chapter attended a vigil held outside the Turkish Consulate and the United Nations, where nearly 2,000 people were in attendance to remember Dink.  

AYF-YOARF central executive member Levon Attarian participated in a memorial ceremony on January 23 held at the Rhode Island State House where Governor Don Cacieri spoke along with other prominent members of the community.   "Although this was a sad and unfortunate even, it was great to see the Armenian Community from all three Churches attend this event held by the ANC in order to show our unity during this tragic loss to Armenia nation.   It shows how the ANC as an organization can bridge the gaps within the different communities here in Rhode Island.," said Attarian.

On January 23 funeral services were held for Dink at the Kumkapı Armenian Church in Turkey that turned into a protest of around 100,000 people who took to the streets of Istanbul. .

In Boston, AYF members and community organizations gathered for a vigil at St. James church in Watertown, Mass., where Greater Boston Nejdeh chapter members remembered Dink's work and words. The following day, the Philadelphia AYF and ARF along with other local community groups held a memorial service at the stature of young Mher in front of the Philadelphia art museum where a wreath will be laid in Dink's honor.

HrantDink_MC_012307 :AYF-YOARF Central Executive member Levon Attarian served as the master of ceremonies at a commemoration for Dink at the Rhode Island State House

HrantDink_Vigil_012307:New York AYF members joined around 2,000 in front of the Turkish Consulate in New York to remember Dink