Justice Organizing in the U.S. Armenian Community - Panel Discussion

Armenian Action Network presents “Justice Organizing in the U.S. Armenian Community:” from Racial & Gender Justice to the Struggle in our Homeland. Join us for a conversation with organizations building justice for the Armenian people, Yerazad Coalition, Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) WUS, Kooyrigs, GALAS, Zoravik Collective, The Hye-Phen, and Coordinating Committee on Armenian Nonviolence (CCAN). Organizers will share organizational history, the campaigns they are focusing on now, efforts around Armenia/Artsakh, and how to get involved. Don’t miss this panel of organizations leading the next generation of resistance in the U.S. Armenian community.

Speakers:

Carene Rose Mekertichyan, Yerazad

Haig Minasian, Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) -WUS / UHRC

Karine Eurdekian, Kooyrigs  

Maral Karaccusian, GALAS

Sepouh Aghababayan, Zoravik Collective  

Sevan Mujukian, The Hye-Phen Magazine  

Yetvart S. Majian, CCAN  

Moderated by: Sophia Armen

Date: Feb 21 at 3pm PT/ 6pm ET, online via Zoom

Organizations:

Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) - WUS The Armenian Youth Federation is an international, non-profit, youth organization, founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1933. With 28 chapters across the United States, the AYF is committed to the moral, social and intellectual advancement of Armenian youth. It seeks to accomplish this objective by promoting activities based on its five long standing pillars: political, cultural, educational, athletic, and social. The Armenian Youth Federation strives to advance the goals of a free, independent and united Armenia. Toward these ends, the AYF is dedicated to the principles of freedom, democracy, self-determination, economic justice, and social equality.

Coordinating Committee on Armenian Nonviolence (CCAN), aka Armenian Nonviolence is a new initiative within the Armenian community, striving to apply insights and methodologies from the history of strategic and principled nonviolence to the Armenian cause. CCAN is the relaunch of Armenian Nonviolence which was founded in 2007, after the killing of Hrant Dink, and took its first successful direct action against a Turkish nationalist anti-Armenian protests in Time Square, NY.

Kooyrigs provides resources to the global Armenian network by launching community projects, implementing educational initiatives and amplifying marginalized voices. Our digital and real-life safe spaces spark connection and encourage critical conversation on topics that impact Armenians all over the world: in Armenia, Artsakh and diaspora communities.

GALAS has been in existence for over two decades and is the leading Armenian LGBTQIA+ non-profit organization serving the Armenian LGBTQIA+ community. Our mission is to provide and create a safe and supportive network, and to work toward an inclusive, just, and equitable existence where all Armenian LGBTQIA+ people can thrive.

The Hye-Phen is a fully independent digital magazine run by queer, trans and non-binary Armenians from all around the world. Created by Sevan Mujukian in 2014, the goal of the multimedia platform is to dismantle dystopia and foster community through collective expression.

Yerazad is an inclusive collective dedicated to Armenian liberation and building transnational solidarity. At the core of Yerzad's work is a centering of marginalized Armenians, grassroots policy action, and coalition building with other communities.

Zoravik (“in solidarity”)  is an Armenian activist collective that promotes new avenues for grassroots and political organizing for progressives. Zoravik (“In Solidarity”) seeks to rally individuals in the diaspora and the political, cultural, and social institutions and resources of the diaspora to support and encourage transformative efforts in Armenian communities worldwide; to serve as a bridge between progressive ideas and actions in Armenia and in the diaspora; and to actively and effectively stand behind those working hard in Armenia and in our local communities to create free, just, and economically-fair societies

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Presented by:

Armenian Action Network is a U.S. digital advocacy and storytelling platform of Armenian-Americans, immigrants, refugees + allies fighting for social, economic and global justice. We address the needs and issues of Armenian communities in the United States through effective advocacy, services, and research. We focus on fighting anti-Armenian racism in the U.S. and protecting our communities’ civil rights. armenianactionnetwork.org