WASHINGTON–The Armenian National Committee of America’s (ANCA) ‘Countdown to Erdogan’ moves from the internet to phone lines on Thursday, November 12 with the launch of a National Call-In Day to encourage Senators to cosponsor and work for the adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, S.Res.316.
“The strong early response by Armenian Americans – and also a growing number of non-Armenians – to our ‘Countdown to Erdogan’ campaign has really broadened our community’s civic engagement, with thousands of WebMails already being sent to support both the adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution and decisive U.S. action to end the genocide in Darfur,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We now urge team members to pick up the phone and call their Senators to thank those who have already cosponsored the initiative and urge others to take immediate action.”
Contact information for Senate offices and sample phone scripts are provided through the www.anca.org/countdown website or directly by clicking HERE.
A New Action Item Each Day:
Starting on Monday, November 9th, the ANCA website www.anca.org/countdown launched the innovative program, announcing a new action item every day, ranging from on- line activism and call-in days to social networking, coalition-building, community outreach, and hands-on activities – all aimed at educating and inspiring President Obama, on December 7th, to tell Prime Minister Erdogan, to his face, that American stands for a truthful and just resolution of the Armenian Genocide. Each week will also include at least one action item geared to end the ongoing genocide in Darfur, as part of the ANCA’s broader commitment to fostering U.S leadership in ending the cycle of genocide.
Since Monday, in addition to contacting their Senators, activists have urged President Obama to move beyond rhetoric and take decisive action to end the Darfur genocide, participating in a WebMail campaign initiated by Africa Action. Anti-genocide activists were also encouraged to watch a special live broadcast of Save Darfur’s interview with Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration and NSC Assistant Secretary on Multi-Lateral Affairs Samantha Power on the current situation in Darfur. On November 11th, in honor of Veterans’ Day, activists are encouraged to send a special ANCA WebMail to Senate and House members to help end the cycle of genocide.
Online Social Media networking and Weekend Projects to Round out First Week of Activism:
“Countdown to Erdogan” daily actions, which take just a few minutes, are each designed to spread the Armenian Genocide recognition message to key audiences. Friday’s action will focus on online social media, encouraging activists to use the campaign’s logo as their Facebook profile picture, to give their impressions of the first week of activism on the ANCA Facebook page, and to take action via Twitter, LinkedIn, and other networking sites.
On Saturday, activists are encouraged to visit their community library and identify Armenian Genocide and Armenian history related resources available for community education. The ANCA will help by providing a listing of books and resources that can be donated to Libraries to augment their collections.
For Sunday, the ANCA will be posting a sample letter to Senators that activists can print and take to Church and community centers to encourage dialogue and to collect signatures in support of the Senate version of the Armenian Genocide Resolution S.Res.316.
