NEW YORK—April as a month of remembrance and a call to action was the theme for the New York Hyortiks this year as they approached Armenian Genocide commemorations. The chapter organized various activities and carried out several projects throughout April to lead the community in a continuous remembrance.

Early in April the chapter's educational committee organized two consecutive screenings of movies with Armenian Genocide-related themes. On April 13 the Hyortiks showed Back to Ararat at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church after services. The following week on April 20 they showed Genocide in Me to an audience at St. Illuminator's Armenian Apostolic Cathedral. Community members were engaged with the films and issues they brought up regarding Genocide recognition, different ways of commemorating, and the concept of "never forgetting."

In conjunction with the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of New York the Hyortiks also put together general "April is Genocide Remembrance Month" posters that gave a brief description of the Genocide and why certain businesses might be closed on April 24. The posters—that were hung outside local Armenian churches and a few Armenian businesses in Manhattan—targeted those passing by the buildings, educating them on this issue.

New York AYF members decorated the stairs leading up to the St. Sarkis Armenian Church with small candles and posters remembering the Armenian Genocide (PHOTO CREDIT: Maral Najjarian)

On the day of April 24 members hit the streets and passed out flyers in Manhattan's jewelry district. The flyers called for the United States to "end the gag rule," referring to Turkish pressure on the US when it comes to the Armenian Genocide. In the afternoon some members attended a commemorative service and lunch at St. Vartan Cathedral in Manhattan. Finally that evening, the chapter helped set the solemn mood for a memorial service at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church. Members decorated the stairs leading up to the church with small candles and posters remembering the Genocide. After the service junior and senior members led attendees in singing "Adanayin Voghpuh."

Some New York AYF members with ANC Eastern Region Director Karine Birazian at the annual City Hall Commemoration sponsored by the ANC of New York

The following evening the Hyortiks volunteered at the welcome table of the annual City Hall Event sponsored by the ANC of New York. As in years past the chapter presented a speech on behalf of the organization during the program. This year's comments highlighted the theme of freedom and human rights. Presented by Hyortik executive member Maria Nercessian, the speech discussed freedom as an essential component of humanity. "Nintey-three years ago, Armenian citizens of the Ottoman Empire had all of their freedoms taken away, the freedom to laugh, to sing, to think, and to live freely as Armenians. What makes these individuals different from those suffering here and now and to those, for example, in Darfur who are constantly enduring such pain on a daily basis? Nothing. We are all humans," said Nercessian. She ended her presentation with remarks in Armenian, quoting from Mikael Nalbantian's poem "Yerk Azadoutyan" that touched upon the human desire for freedom.

On April 26, New York AYFers came out early to help set up and helped out all day for the March for Justice held by the AYF Central Hai Tahd Council

On April 26 the AYF Central Hai Tahd Council led many in the region on the March for Justice. Drawing in people from New York, New Jersey, Boston, Providence, and Philadelphia, the march led the group from St. Illuminator's Armenian Apostolic Cathedral to the UN Dag Hammarskjold Plaza where they rallied for justice for the Armenian Genocide. That day New York AYFers came out early to help set up for the event, run the technical aspect and support CHTC's leadership on the protest. Flyer-ing the community weeks before the event, the Hyortiks brought out local community members to the march. Staying until the very end to clean up, New York's AYFers helped CHTC pack up and return to the Armenian Center in Woodside, N.Y.

Together with youth from various local organizations, AYF members assisted at the annual Times Square Rally by passing out t-shirts; bringing and handing out placards to attendees; distributing booklets to passers-by; and cleaning up at the end

Finally the Hyortiks participated in an Armenian youth and student movement to help out at the annual Times Square Rally as an organized and unified body. Together with youth from various local organizations, AYF members assisted at the event by passing out t-shirts; bringing and handing out placards to attendees; distributing booklets to passers-by; and cleaning up at the end. After the event the Hyortiks joined fellow youth at a small gathering held at St. Vartan Cathedral where they mingled and discussed various issues in the Armenian community.

"I think it was important for the Hyortiks to host and participate in Genocide commemoration events throughout the month of April in order to show the world that all Armenian youth have not forgotten our martyrs, our Cause. We will keep protesting and marching until Turkey admits the crimes it has committed against our ancestors," said Hyortik member Arousiag Markarian.