David Boyajian named one of top 10 newsmakers in Newton TAB (Massachusetts, USA)?
Lucine Kasbarian from US writes:
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Dear Friends,
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I thought you'd like to know that human rights activist David Boyajian and nine other individuals/groups were profiled in the Newton TAB newspaper of Newton, Massachusetts, for making headlines this past year.
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David was recognized for drawing attention to the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) endeavors to prevent Armenian Genocide acknowledgment and is credited for starting a large-scale movement to dispute the ADL's policies.
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It is gratifying to know that the Newton TAB saw fit to recognize David's efforts. The article appears below. I encourage you to post remarks of your own in the comments section beneath the article online:
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I thought you'd like to know that human rights activist David Boyajian and nine other individuals/groups were profiled in the Newton TAB newspaper of Newton, Massachusetts, for making headlines this past year.
?
David was recognized for drawing attention to the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) endeavors to prevent Armenian Genocide acknowledgment and is credited for starting a large-scale movement to dispute the ADL's policies.
?
It is gratifying to know that the Newton TAB saw fit to recognize David's efforts. The article appears below. I encourage you to post remarks of your own in the comments section beneath the article online:
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http://www.wickedlocal.com/newton/homepage/x1295920795
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Of the 10 newsmakers, David was rated # 3 (right before Noam Chomsky), though of course, David is #1 in my book!
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Happy New Year, everyone.
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Of the 10 newsmakers, David was rated # 3 (right before Noam Chomsky), though of course, David is #1 in my book!
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Happy New Year, everyone.
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Lucine Kasbarian (Email)
Newton TAB
Top Newsmakers of 2007
Wed. Dec. 26, 2007
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1. Lt. Richard Geary & the Newton Firefighters
2. Everyone involved in the Newton north construction project
3. David Boyajian
4. Noam Chomsky
5. Paul Levy
6. Newly elected public officials
7. U.S. Army Capt. Michelle Jacobs
8. Boston Red Sox
9. Kristin Kenney
10. TAB Bloggers
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David Boyajian
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Newton resident David Boyajian illustrated the power of a simple letter to the editor when he ignited a debate that made national headlines.
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In his July 6 letter to the Watertown TAB and Press ? the Newton TAB?s sister paper ? he questioned the Anti-Defamation League?s stance on the Armenian genocide.
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Boyajian was disturbed about ADL national director Abrahan Foxman?s refusal to unequivocally recognize the genocide that resulted in the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians. Neither would Foxman support congressional legislation that would make recognition official. For a major organization advocating human rights, the ADL?s position was unacceptable for many.
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Boyajian?s letter tugged at the heartstrings of the Armenian-Americans living in Watertown. Rallying against the ADL, they asked the town to withdraw from the ADL program, No Place for Hate.
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Regional ADL director Andrew Tarsy supported recognition of the genocide and was subsequently fired.
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A few days later, the ADL?s national director, Abraham Foxman, changed the organization?s position by calling the deaths of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire ?tantamount to genocide.?
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But, it was too late and too little. Newton decided to withdraw from No Place for Hate as long as the program?s parent organization refused to unequivocally acknowledge the genocide and did not support congressional recognition of the Armenian genocide. Other Massachusetts communities followed suit.
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Following the Anti-Defamation League?s annual meeting, the anti-hate organization did not change its stance, and communities like Newton and Waltham remained detached from No Place for Hate.
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All this from one man?s letter to the editor.
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David Boyajian's articles on Armeniapedia about the ADL (as well as about other issues of concern to Armenians):?
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Website of the City of Newton:
http://www.ci.newton.ma.us/
http://www.ci.newton.ma.us/
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No Place for Denial website:
http://www.noplacefordenial.com/
http://www.noplacefordenial.com/
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The ADL story as covered in Azad-Hye:
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