SYSTEM OF A DOWN Contribute Over $20,000 For Genocide Awareness

Los Angeles-based multi-platinum-selling hard rock band SYSTEM OF A DOWN again confirmed their steadfast support of organizations seeking to promote genocide awareness by their recent donation to the Zoryan Institute. In the last two years, SYSTEM OF A DOWN has contributed over $20,000 to the Zoryan Institute to help further its mission of genocide research, education and awareness as part of SYSTEM's ongoing activism with regards to genocide recognition and general awareness. The contribution comes from their third annual benefit concert, "Souls 2005", held in Los Angeles, California, which they named "Souls", because "There are all these souls that aren't at rest. Their deaths have been overlooked," said the band.

The members of SYSTEM OF A DOWN, who are of Armenian descent, all lost family members and family history to the Armenian genocide. The band feels compelled to support and promote organizations such as the Zoryan Institute, which conducts historical research, produces publications and promotes education in the field "Because so much of [our] family history was lost in the Armenian Genocide," said guitarist Daron Malakian. "My grandfather, who was very young at the time, doesn't know his true age. How many people can say they don't know how old they are?" As such, SYSTEM OF A DOWN's annual benefit concert, which they headline, gives proceeds to worthy non-profit organizations that work toward prevention of future genocide or recognition of past genocides either through educational awareness, such as the Zoryan Institute or through political action as taken by others.

During the first genocide of the 20th century, perpetrated by Ottoman Turkey during World War I against its Armenian population, over 1.5 million Armenians were annihilated and hundreds of thousands deported from their ancient homeland. April 24 was chosen as the date for the "Souls 2005" concert as this year, it commemorated the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Why should SYSTEM OF A DOWN fans be concerned about the Armenian genocide, something that happened nearly one-hundred years ago and far away from the U.S. and Canada is what many ask.

"It's important for people to be aware of the Armenian genocide," explained lead singer Serj Tankian, "Had the Armenian genocide been acknowledged as a crime against humanity, as it was, Hitler might not have thought he could get away with the Jewish Holocaust. History does and will repeat itself, unless we stop that cycle." Zoryan Institute Director George Shirinian said, "We share SYSTEM OF A DOWN's intellectual concern about the consequences of impunity and appreciate their continued interest and support in the work that we do. We also appreciate the fact that SYSTEM is using its celebrity status to elevate awareness of a universal cause, which could entice individuals to get active. Only through such understanding and awareness about the heinous crime of genocide and gross violation of human rights may we have a chance to make a difference. SYSTEM OF A DOWN plays a major role in this endeavor."

The Zoryan Institute is the first non-profit, international center devoted to the research and documentation of contemporary issues related to Armenian social, political and cultural life. To this end, the Institute conducts multidisciplinary research, publication, and educational programs dealing with Armenia, the Armenian genocide, and Diaspora, within a universal context.