February 26, 2008
Massachusetts Municipal Association
One Winthrop Square
Boston MA 02110
Dear Chairman Tobey and Members,
We write to you in light of the November 2007 decision of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) “to take no further action” regarding its policy on the Armenian Genocide and respectfully urge you to rescind your endorsement of the No Place for Hate (NPFH) program due to the ADL’s refusal to unambiguously acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and its continued active opposition to US recognition of the Genocide.
In September the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) wrote to the ADL asking the ADL to remain true to its own mission and fully and unequivocally acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and express support for U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Upon conclusion of its National Commissioners meeting in early November, however, the ADL issued a one sentence press statement declaring that, “The National Commission of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today, at its annual meeting, decided to take no further action on the issue of the Armenian genocide.”
As a human rights organization and especially as an organization that sponsors tolerance education programs in our communities, the ADL is expected to speak with absolute moral clarity about genocide and its denial. As it stands, the ADL’s August 21 statement with its convoluted and irresolute language remains the ADL’s official statement on the Armenian Genocide.
While the achievements of the NPFH program and the hard work of its members should be applauded, their work has been compromised by the policies of the ADL which has failed to live up to the standards not only of its own mission to “secure justice and fair treatment for all citizens alike” but also of a human rights organization by its position on the Armenian Genocide. In addition, by not distancing itself from this position and instead publicly stating that their position is now one and the same with that of the National, the New England ADL has disappointingly retreated from the principled position it took in August.
The Belmont Human Rights Commission said it best: “ADL and the No Place for Hate program emphasize that the “tip of the pyramid of hatred” is genocide. How can we, in good faith, ask our community to work at the base of this same pyramid while the No Place for Hate sponsor is actively working against congressional, international recognition of the Armenian genocide?” (September 6, 2007)
We respectfully ask that you rescind your endorsement of the No Place for Hate program due to the ADL’s refusal to unambiguously acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and continued active opposition to US recognition of the Genocide.
Sincerely,
Armenian Assembly of America
Armenian Church of the Holy Translators (Framingham, MA)
Armenian Church of the Martyrs (Worcester, MA)
Armenian Church of Our Savior (Worcester, MA)
Armenian Democratic Liberal Organization
Armenian General Benevolent Union
Armenian General Benevolent Union Young Professionals
Armenian Independent Broadcasting of Boston
Armenian Mirror Spectator Weekly
Armenian National Committee
Armenian Relief Society Cambridge Shushi Chapter
Armenian Relief Society Worcester Knar Chapter
Armenian Relief Society Lola Sassouni Chapter
Armenian Relief Society Lowell Lousintak Chapter
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
The Armenian Weekly
Armenian Youth Federation Worcester Aram Chapter
Armenian Youth Federation Greater Boston Chapter
First Armenian Church (Belmont, MA)
Hairenik Weekly
Hamazkayin Boston Chapter
Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Church (Belmont, MA)
Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church (Worcester, MA)
Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church of Greater Boston (Cambridge, MA)
Homenetmen Greater Boston Chapter
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
North Andover Sasoun Armenian Youth Federation
Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives
Social Democratic Hunchakian Party
St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley (North Andover, MA)
St. James Armenian Apostolic Church (Watertown, MA)
St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church (Watertown, MA)
Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church (Chelmsford, MA)
Tekeyan Cultural Association Boston Chapter
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Open Letter from the Armenian American Community to the Massachusetts Municipal Association
Massachusetts Armenian American Community Urges State Agency to End its Endorsement of ADL’s No Place for Hate Program
Armenian National Committee
47 Nichols Avenue
Watertown MA 02472
617-926-1890
ancem@hotmail.com
PRESS RELEASE:
February 26, 2008
For information contact:
617-347-2833
Watertown, MA—Massachusetts Armenian American organizations today urged the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) to end its endorsement of the Anti Defamation League’s (ADL) No Place for Hate program.
In an open letter, over thirty Armenian American organizations from across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts called on the MMA to “rescind its endorsement of the No Place for Hate (NPFH) program due to the ADL’s refusal to unambiguously acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and its continued active opposition to US recognition of the Genocide.”
The letter praised the MMA for urging the Anti Defamation League last September to “remain true to its own mission and fully and unequivocally acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and express support for U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide” but declared that “as human rights organization and especially as an organization that sponsors tolerance education programs in our communities, the ADL is expected to speak with absolute moral clarity about genocide and its denial. As it stands, the ADL’s August 21 statement with its convoluted and irresolute language remains the ADL’s official statement on the Armenian Genocide.”
The Armenian American community letter to the MMA comes just one month after the MMA held its annual meeting and elected a new board of directors.
“Despite repeated calls, the ADL has refused to recognize the Armenian Genocide, and as such, has lost the moral authority as a human rights organization,” stated Herman Purutyan, Massachusetts state chair for the Armenian Assembly of America. “We urge the Massachusetts Municipal Association to join our communities and sever its ties with the No Place For Hate program, as long as the program is tainted by Genocide denial."
“The MMA took a principled stand in September by calling on the ADL to do what so many of us hoped it would: unequivocally acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and end its active opposition to Congressional affirmation of the Genocide,” stated Sharistan Melkonian of the Armenian National Committee. “The ADL sadly fell short of its responsibilities as a human rights organization and we now look to the MMA to do the only right thing: end its endorsement of a program sponsored by an organization which engages in genocide denial.”
According to the MMA’s website, the No Place for Hate program was created by the Anti Defamation League in partnership with the Massachusetts Municipal Association “to provide communities with a solid framework for promoting an inclusive environment while fighting all forms of hate and bigotry.”
Last September the MMA passed a resolution calling on the ADL to “support the Congressional [Armenian Genocide] Resolution.” In a letter to local No Place for Hate communities the MMA stated that it had “issued a strong and unequivocal statement on the importance of recognizing the Armenian Genocide and supporting passage of the Congressional Resolution.” The letter also affirmed that the MMA “called on the national ADL organization to do the same” and concluded by stating that it would “review and monitor this matter, recognizing that while progress has been made,” the MMA would “re-evaluate our official sponsorship of NPFH after the national ADL determines whether to adopt this position.”
Background
The ADL has for many years refused to acknowledge that the systematic massacre of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 was genocide. To make matters worse, the ADL has actively engaged in efforts to oppose Congressional affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.
Only after intense pressure which started in Watertown, Massachusetts last summer did the national ADL issue a statement on August 21, 2007 which referring to the events of 1915-1918, declared, “The consequences of those actions were indeed tantamount to genocide.” Aside from the fact that the Armenian Genocide began in 1915 and continued through 1923, the statement was not a full, unequivocal acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide.
Not only was the qualifier “tantamount” inappropriate, but the use of the word “consequences” circumvented the international legal definition of genocide by avoiding any language that would imply intent, a crucial aspect of the 1948 UN Genocide Convention definition.
The ADL convened its national meeting in New York City in early November at which time the issue of the Armenian Genocide was discussed.
Upon conclusion, a one sentence press statement was issued that “The National Commission of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today, at its annual meeting, decided to take no further action on the issue of the Armenian genocide.” http://www.adl.org/PresRele/Mise_00/5162_00.htm
For complete information about the ADL controversy surrounding the Armenian Genocide visit http://www.noplacefordenial.com/
####
Open Letter from the Armenian American Community to the Massachusetts Municipal Association
February 26, 2008
Massachusetts Municipal Association
One Winthrop Square
Boston MA 02110
Dear Chairman Tobey and Members,
We write to you in light of the November 2007 decision of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) “to take no further action” regarding its policy on the Armenian Genocide and respectfully urge you to rescind your endorsement of the No Place for Hate (NPFH) program due to the ADL’s refusal to unambiguously acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and its continued active opposition to US recognition of the Genocide.
In September the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) wrote to the ADL asking the ADL to remain true to its own mission and fully and unequivocally acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and express support for U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Upon conclusion of its National Commissioners meeting in early November, however, the ADL issued a one sentence press statement declaring that, “The National Commission of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today, at its annual meeting, decided to take no further action on the issue of the Armenian genocide.”
As a human rights organization and especially as an organization that sponsors tolerance education programs in our communities, the ADL is expected to speak with absolute moral clarity about genocide and its denial. As it stands, the ADL’s August 21 statement with its convoluted and irresolute language remains the ADL’s official statement on the Armenian Genocide.
While the achievements of the NPFH program and the hard work of its members should be applauded, their work has been compromised by the policies of the ADL which has failed to live up to the standards not only of its own mission to “secure justice and fair treatment for all citizens alike” but also of a human rights organization by its position on the Armenian Genocide. In addition, by not distancing itself from this position and instead publicly stating that their position is now one and the same with that of the National, the New England ADL has disappointingly retreated from the principled position it took in August.
The Belmont Human Rights Commission said it best: “ADL and the No Place for Hate program emphasize that the “tip of the pyramid of hatred” is genocide. How can we, in good faith, ask our community to work at the base of this same pyramid while the No Place for Hate sponsor is actively working against congressional, international recognition of the Armenian genocide?” (September 6, 2007)
We respectfully ask that you rescind your endorsement of the No Place for Hate program due to the ADL’s refusal to unambiguously acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and continued active opposition to US recognition of the Genocide.
Sincerely,
Armenian Assembly of America
Armenian Church of the Holy Translators (Framingham, MA)
Armenian Church of the Martyrs (Worcester, MA)
Armenian Church of Our Savior (Worcester, MA)
Armenian Democratic Liberal Organization
Armenian General Benevolent Union
Armenian General Benevolent Union Young Professionals
Armenian Independent Broadcasting of Boston
Armenian Mirror Spectator Weekly
Armenian National Committee
Armenian Relief Society Cambridge Shushi Chapter
Armenian Relief Society Worcester Knar Chapter
Armenian Relief Society Lola Sassouni Chapter
Armenian Relief Society Lowell Lousintak Chapter
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
The Armenian Weekly
Armenian Youth Federation Worcester Aram Chapter
Armenian Youth Federation Greater Boston Chapter
First Armenian Church (Belmont, MA)
Hairenik Weekly
Hamazkayin Boston Chapter
Holy Cross Armenian Catholic Church (Belmont, MA)
Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church (Worcester, MA)
Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church of Greater Boston (Cambridge, MA)
Homenetmen Greater Boston Chapter
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
North Andover Sasoun Armenian Youth Federation
Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives
Social Democratic Hunchakian Party
St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley (North Andover, MA)
St. James Armenian Apostolic Church (Watertown, MA)
St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church (Watertown, MA)
Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church (Chelmsford, MA)
Tekeyan Cultural Association Boston Chapter
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Needham Times: Letter to the Editor Published on Feb 12, 2008
Letter: Why hasn’t municipal association fulfilled its pledge?
Several months ago I, along with others in Needham, carefully followed the effort by the town to disengage itself from a program of the Anti-Defamation League, a discredited organization which was promoting itself as a champion of human rights.
At the time, the ADL was expounding a highly ambiguous, even denialist, position regarding the Armenian Genocide. It went so far as to oppose its affirmation by the U.S. Congress, unanimous support by the entire Massachusetts Congressional delegation not withstanding.
Now we discover that the Massachusetts Municipal Association, an official body upon which Needham town officials serve, and to which the town provides public funds, has reneged on a promise made months ago to “re-evaluate” its umbrella sponsorship of ADL’s No Place for Hate program if the ADL did not reverse its hurtful position, which it has refused to do.
With this letter we ask our town officials to investigate why the MMA has not fulfilled its pledge, and to withhold funds until it has done so. We realize that ultimately the ADL will do what it wishes; however, we believe our town should do what is principled. The words of James Baldwin come to mind: “... you cannot deny the humanity of another without diminishing yourself.”
Dorothy Esperian
Great Plain Avenue
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Newburyport Becomes 11th Massachusetts Municipality to End Ties with the ADL's No Place for Hate Committee
Joins Towns from Watertown to Northampton in becoming No Place for Denial
ANCEM Press Release
February 2, 2008
Watertown, Massachusetts--The City of Newburyport, Massachusetts last week formally withdrew from the Anti Defamation League’s (ADL) No Place for Hate program, reported the Armenian National Committee.
Newburyport has become Massachusetts’ 11th municipality to end relations with the No Place for Hate program due to the ADL’s failure to unambiguously acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and its continued active opposition to legislation affirming the Armenian Genocide.
“We are pleased that the north shore has joined so many other cities and towns in Massachusetts in standing firmly opposed to genocide denial in any of its form,” stated Pearl Teague, chairperson of the Armenian National Committee of Merrimack Valley. “We are grateful to the commitment of Lieutenant Richard Siemasko, Esq. and the members of the Human Rights Commission as well as Mayor Moak who carefully listened to Rev. Aram Marashlian and Judy Mouradian and other local residents and recognized the failure of the ADL to not only live up to its own mission statement but more importantly to live up to the standards of our community.”
In late August, Newburyport’s Commission on Diversity and Tolerance had written an open letter to the ADL and ADL national director Abraham Foxman stating that “The members of Newburyport’s Commission for Diversity and Tolerance are distraught and dismayed by Mr. Foxman’s and the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) stance on the Armenian Genocide. Not only has the ADL failed to support the Armenian people by advocating for congressional recognition with HR 106, but also, in fact, it has lobbied against the legislation”
The letter continued to say that the Commission finds “that the ADL’s logic that led to the statement that a ‘Congressional resolution on such matters is a counterproductive diversion … and may put at risk the Turkish Jewish community and the important multilateral relationship between Turkey, Israel and the United States’ fatally flawed, and contrary to the spirit of ‘Never Again.’ “
In a February 1 letter to the New England ADL, Newburyport mayor John Moak stated that “in wake of … the [ADL’s] failure to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide between 1915 and 1923 as anything other than “tantamount to genocide,” … the Commission has decided to end its relationship with the No Place for Hate program.
Newburyport joins Watertown, Belmont, Newton, Needham, Arlington, Medford, Lexington, Bedford, Westwood and Northampton in ending ties with the ADL’s No Place for Hate program due to the ADL’s failure to unambiguously acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and continued active opposition to Congressional legislation affirming the Armenian Genocide.
The fight against the ADL’s genocide denial spread to Western Massachusetts in the fall when the Human Rights Commission of the City of Northampton followed by Northampton’s City Council ended their city’s relationship with No Place for Hate.
In a September 28 letter to the ADL’s Foxman, Northhampton’s Human Rights Commission made it clear that “while we may sympathize with the complexities of current international relations, we cannot in conscience continue a relationship with an organization that claims to stand for full accountability for genocide, yet stops short of endorsing a Congressional resolution acknowledging the Armenian genocide. We cannot endorse selective recognition of hate by an organization that claims leadership in creating a world where there is no place for hate.”
The HRC further stated that “acknowledging the truth about the Armenian genocide not only has an impact on survivors and their families, it also has an impact on our ability to address other acts of hate.”
Background
The ADL has for many years refused to acknowledge that the systematic massacre of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 was genocide. To make matters worse, the ADL has actively engaged in efforts to oppose Congressional affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.
Only after intense pressure which started in Watertown, Massachusetts earlier this summer did the national ADL issue a “Statement on the Armenian Genocide” on August 21, 2007.
Referring to the events of 1915-1918, the statement declared, “The consequences of those actions were indeed tantamount to genocide.” Aside from the fact that the Armenian Genocide began in 1915 and continued through 1923, the statement was not a full, unequivocal acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide.
Not only was the qualifier “tantamount” inappropriate, but the use of the word “consequences” was seen by many as an attempt to circumvent the international legal definition of genocide by avoiding any language that would imply intent, a crucial aspect of the 1948 UN Genocide Convention definition.
The ADL convened its national meeting in New York City in early November at which time the issue of the Armenian Genocide was discussed.
Upon conclusion, a one sentence press statement was issued that “The National Commission of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today, at its annual meeting, decided to take no further action on the issue of the Armenian genocide.” http://www.adl.org/PresRele/Mise_00/5162_00.htm
For complete information about the ADL controversy surrounding the Armenian Genocide visit www.noplacefordenial.com
read more
Watertown Tab: Letters to the Editor Published on February 1, 2008
Letter: Why does the Mass. Municipal Association still sponsor ‘No Place for Hate’?
Feb 01, 2008
WATERTOWN - I do not understand why the Massachusetts Municipal Association board of directors has yet to cease its sponsorship of the Anti-Defamation League “No Place for Hate” program throughout the state, as many local governments have already done (beginning with Watertown in August 2007).
The MMA, of which Watertown is a member, had proclaimed in September 2007 that the ADL should end in totality its denial that the Armenian Genocide did in fact take place, and to cease the organization’s opposition to the Congressional proposal of affirmation of this genocide. The MMA further stated that if the ADL does not do so, the MMA would sever its ties with the NPFH program. Yet, the ADL, after many months, has yet to officially announce a change in its stance on this issue! The MMA says it has sponsored NPFH because it was presented as an anti-bias program, yet this platform that clearly has made the Armenian Genocide an exception, and the MMA is still sponsoring the ADL!
I am disappointed with the MMA and with those Watertown officials who have done nothing to hold the MMA accountable for its lack of follow through. Clearly, the cozy and unethical relationship between these organizations must be questioned, and demands for answers — and responsible action—must be made.
Levon Karageuzian
Duff Street
Letter: Where is the follow-through on ‘No Place for Hate’?
Feb 01, 2008
WATERTOWN - I was pleased that on Dec. 11 the Town Council asked the Massachusetts Municipal Association to fulfill its pledge of last September to sever ties with the ADL’s No Place for Hate program.
The MMA board had promised to “re-evaluate” its sponsorship of the state’s NPFH chapters unless the national ADL’s meeting in New York last November resulted in a change to ADL’s hypocritical denial of the Armenian genocide.
The ADL made no change whatsoever in its denial policy at that meeting or since then. Yet the MMA has still taken no action.
Watertown — that is, its taxpayers — gives thousands in annual dues to the MMA.
Moreover, Town Councilor Jonathan Hecht not only sits on the Executive Committee of MMA’s board, but is also vice president of the Massachusetts Municipal Councilors’ Association, itself an MMA member.
What are Mr. Hecht and the other councilors doing about the MMA? Nothing?
If this was about Holocaust denial rather than Armenian Genocide denial, we all know what the MMA would have done.
The town of Watertown and Councilor Hecht should both withdraw from the MMA unless it follows through on its pledge to sever ties with ADL.
Lily Ordoubeigian
Concord Road
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