SERJ TANKIAN And AXIS OF JUSTICE Launch Armenian Genocide Recognition Campaign

April 9, 2009

Known as one of the most outspoken activists in the music community, Serj Tankian, along with the help of Tom Morello and the Axis of Justice, is launching a campaign for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide to commemorate the annual global day of remembrance for victims of the human rights atrocity on April 24. Tankian, a solo artist and visionary frontman for multi-platinum rock band SYSTEM OF A DOWN, has posted a video on YouTube (see below) in which he and other activists urge President Obama to affirm his pledge and officially recognize the Armenian Genocide, which took place in 1915, just after the start of World War I.

A powerful indictment of the Turkish government's denials, the video, which also features comments from Morello, THE COUP's Boots Riley, and Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.),asks viewers to call the White House to implore President Obama to put an end to Turkey's well-funded whitewash and officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. The video was directed by Ara Soudjian, who also directed Tankian's "Money" clip.

"Last year, Barack Obama noted that many of the same brutal tactics employed today in Darfur are the same as those used by the Ottoman authorities against defenseless Armenians back in 1915," Tankian says. "As we approach the global day of remembrance on April 24, we look to both the President and Congress to stand up for what's right; to speak against the Armenian Genocide and all genocides at the level of American values, and to never again allow the United States to be dragged down to the level of Turkey's threats. President Obama is the best-positioned American president in generations to help bring about real change to how America and the international community confront mass inhumanity, and our best hope to bring the peoples of the world together to end the cycle of genocide."

Tankian has also written an accompanying editorial that outlines the history of the Armenian Genocide and passionately explains his personal connection to it. (All four of Tankian's grandparents survived the brutal massacre.)

Finally, Tankian and Morello have recorded an Axis of Justice radio show for 90.7 KPFK radio in Los Angeles, which will be broadcast on KPFK on Friday, April 17 at 7 p.m. and Sirius Satellite Radio. Congressman Schiff was the in-the-studio guest.

For Sirius air dates and times, visit www.axisofjustice.org.

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