Americana Archives

Americana hosts private screening of Armenian Genocide documentary “Architects of Denial,”

October 28, 2017 by administrator

television host Montel Williams

Despite controversy over mall officials initially refusing to display an advertisement for the Armenian Genocide documentary “Architects of Denial,” local officials and others joined one of the film’s producers Tuesday night for a private screening at the Americana at Brand, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The documentary uses expert testimony and survivor experiences to explore genocides throughout history and how continued denial of the Armenian Genocide contributes to future atrocities.

The screening was organized by the Glendale chapter of the Armenian National Committee of America.

The film is produced by actor Dean Cain and television host Montel Williams, the latter of whom spoke before the film started to the more than 200 audience members packed into a screening room at Pacific Theatres.

Williams said he was “embarrassed” to admit that when he was asked to participate in the project, he had not heard of the Armenian Genocide, and the film should be used as an education tool in schools.

“The Armenian Genocide and its denial for over 100 years is, I think, solely the reason why the world ignores the other genocides that have continued to take place, [and] those that are taking place right now that we hear about and read about and we hear whispers of because the world’s not talking,” he said.

Williams said all the money generated from movie sales will be donated to “Armenian causes” such as the Armenian National Committee of America.

Also in attendance were members of the Glendale City Council, state Assemblywoman Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) and state Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge).

Portantino, who joined the effort early to get the Americana to reverse its original rejection of the film’s advertisement, spoke briefly after the screening.

“It is tragic that we don’t have recognition when it’s appropriate,” Portantino said, according to a statement. “The role of the activist is to make government officials do better … so let’s continue to fight for recognition [of the Armenian Genocide] and to do the right thing.”

Americana agrees to advertise Armenian Genocide movie after all

August 17, 2017 by administrator

The Armenian National Committee of America – Glendale on Thursday, August 17 received a letter from Caruso Affiliated Executive Vice President of Operations, Jackie Levy condemning “violence and atrocities of any form anywhere in the world, including the Armenian Genocide that has impacted the lives of Armenians in our community.” The letter also states that Caruso Affiliated will work with the producers of “Architects of Denial” and the City of Glendale in an effort to display the advertisement at the Americana at Brand, at no cost to the producers, Asbarez reports.

The ANCA Glendale welcomed this important albeit delayed response as the first step in addressing a larger issue of insensitivity toward the Armenian-American community and utter lack of outreach and understanding.

“We look forward to working with Americana at Brand and Caruso Affiliated to further address the community’s needs and develop a positive and constructive relationship moving forward,” ANCA said.

“We especially want to thank the grassroots in our community who rose to the occasion by making our collective concerns heard on a larger scale. This outcome shows that when the community is activated, decision makers will hear its voice.”

The ANCA-Glendale will hold its scheduled press conference o on the green at the Americana at Brand to further discuss this issue of importance to our community.

State senator backs Armenian group’s call for Glendale mall to allow billboard advertising documentary on genocide

August 12, 2017 by administrator

Americana at Brand in Glendale. (Ann Johansson / For The Times)

By Jeff Landa,

After the Americana at Brand rejected billboard space for a film about genocide, state Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) has joined a local Armenian group in asking mall officials to reverse their decision.

Last week, the Glendale chapter of the Armenian National Committee of America requested that the Americana reconsider its denial of billboard space for “Architects of Denial,” a documentary that examines genocides, including the Armenian genocide, through survivor accounts.

In a statement on Thursday, Portantino said he supported the committee’s request.

“I thought to myself that Hollywood has long-celebrated thought-provoking and hard-edged filmmaking that stimulates conversations about historical events,” Portantino said. “It seems like labeling art as ‘too political’ was an odd reason to deny the appropriate free expression of a historical documentary.”

Jackie Levy — executive vice president of operations for Caruso, which owns and operates the Americana — invited the film’s producers to discuss further the proposed film advertisement.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-genocide-ad-20170812-story.html

Glendale Armenians Should Teach a Lesson To Americana Shopping Mall Executives

August 8, 2017 by administrator

by Harut Sassounian, Publisher, The California Courier · August 8, 2017

Three years ago, on the eve of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, Americana shopping mall officials in Glendale, illegally and in an arrogant manner, banned the sale of Armenian Genocide-related T-shirts by three young Armenians who had signed a contract, disclosed their merchandise in advance, and paid the rent for a cart on the property.

Afterwards, ominously, Doris Nesheiwat, Senior Director of Specialty Leasing at Americana, in an email, warned the young Armenians: “Anything genocide themed, sweat shirts, t-shirts, phone covers and anything that has a genocide theme needs to come off the cart completely please.”

After I exposed Americana’s scandalous and unwarranted behavior in a column, and complaints from the local Armenian community, Americana issued a half-hearted apology by describing the ugly incident as a “misunderstanding,” and allowed the young Armenians to sell their T-shirts.

The Armenian community which numbers close to 100,000 — half of Glendale’s population — and a big portion of Americana’s shoppers, needs to know in a definitive way what is causing Americana executives to repeatedly take positions against publicizing the Armenian Genocide. Being smart businessmen, they must realize that it is counter-productive to antagonize the majority of their customers by taking offensive positions on the Armenian Genocide.

In recent weeks, Americana executives once again took a hostile position by refusing to provide advertising space on their billboard for an Armenian Genocide documentary, “Architects of Denial,” produced by Hollywood celebrities Dean Cain and Montel Williams.

This time again, Americana officials came up with a nonsensical and offensive reason for rejecting the paid ad. Americana’s outdoor media agency, Outfront Media, told the documentary producers that Americana executives feel, without having seen the documentary, it is “too political.” This is outrageous! A documentary on the Armenian Genocide cannot be labelled as “too political.” This is a human rights issue which has nothing to do with politics!

When I learned that Julie Jauregui, Americana’s General Manager, was the one who used the term “too political” in rejecting the ad, I called her asking for an explanation. In response, I received an e-mail from Emily Davis, responsible for Americana’s Public Relations and Communications, stating: “We have strict standards for our advertisements and we carefully review all content. This did not comply with the advertising guidelines for our portfolio properties throughout Southern California.”

This carefully crafted statement is completely meaningless! Thus, I wrote back to Emily Davis, wondering how could the advertising for this documentary “not comply” with Americana’s “strict standards for advertisements,” when in fact, Americana’s executives had neither seen the documentary nor the text of the billboard ad before rejecting it. The only information Americana officials knew was that this ad was for an Armenian Genocide documentary. I asked Davis if she implied that the topic of the Armenian Genocide itself violates Americana’s “strict standards for advertisement.” After mulling over her reply for three days and consulting her senior colleagues, Davis responded that they are sticking to their previous answer!

Reaching a dead-end with Americana, I had no choice but to take the matter to the Glendale City Council last week, where four of the five Council members are Armenians. This fact alone, well-known to Americana executives, was another serious miscalculation by them, since they are legally obligated to adhere to scores of agreements they have signed with the City in return for generous subsidies and lavishly advantageous lease considerations. Any deviation from these legal obligations could force the City to take decisive action against Americana to enforce the signed agreements.

In my public remarks to the City Council, I urged the City to arrange a meeting with Americana executives and local Armenian community leaders to resolve this issue. Otherwise, the community would have no choice but to resort to protests and boycotts. Joining me in addressing the City Council was Margarita Baghdasaryan, Community Outreach Director, the Armenian National Committee of America, Glendale Chapter.

The City Council members were naturally sympathetic to our presentations and promised to intervene by arranging a meeting with Americana executives. The purpose of the meeting is not only to straighten out this latest wrong-headed decision, but get to the bottom of what is behind the repeated rejections of Armenian Genocide materials by Americana officials. We need to settle this issue once and for all! We cannot continue to deal with genocide-related objections raised by Americana periodically. We need to know what is the root cause of this repeated insensitive and insulting behavior of Americana officials. If they continue to take a hostile position on the Armenian Genocide issue, maybe hitting them in the pocket book through protests and boycotts, as well as City Council enforcement, would bring Americana executives to their senses!

Lawsuit filed against Americana at Brand over Armenian Genocide apparel controversy

March 28, 2015 by administrator

Vendor selling apparel marking 1915 Armenian Genocide claims discrimination.

By Arin Mikailian, arin.mikailian@latimes.com March 27, 2015 | 11:00 a.m.

Alex Kodagolian, Tina Chuldzhyan and Armin Hariri, a

A cart vendor at the Americana at Brand who was allegedly told to remove displays of clothing making reference to the Armenian Genocide has filed a lawsuit against the upscale outdoor mall.

Management officials behind rap label Pentagon Records filed a complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court on March 13 and, in the document, they claim they were discriminated against by the mall’s management.

Pentagon officials started selling clothing out of a cart at the Americana in February. Shortly after setting up shop, they were reportedly told to they could not display items that read either “our wounds are still open 1915” or “we are still here 2015,” though they could still be purchased if customers asked for them.

The order stemmed from shoppers complaining about the clothing.

Americana’s management apologized on its Facebook page, claiming there was a misunderstanding and that the vendor is allowed to display the apparel in question.

However, Tina Chuldzhyan, a production manager for the record label, said in a phone interview on Thursday she has yet to hear that kind of message directly from mall management.

Until then, she said she won’t display the 1915 clothing items.

The goal of the lawsuit, she said, is to get the court to compel the outdoor mall’s management team to allow the display to resume, Chuldzhyan said.

“We want [the] Americana to do something for the community; this goes far past us … it really affected a whole community of people,” she said. “We’re trying to make sure they acknowledge they made a mistake.”

After word got out about the controversy, members of Glendale’s large Armenian community held a silent protest at the Americana, while the mall’s alleged actions drew criticism from Mayor Zareh Sinanyan.

Liz Jaeger, vice president of public relations for Caruso Affiliated, which owns the Americana, declined to comment on the pending litigation.

According to the complaint, Pentagon Records is also seeking damages, but not for itself.

“Although the complaint seeks damages, my clients intend to use the proceeds from this lawsuit to further promote recognition and awareness of the Armenian Genocide,” said Pentagon’s attorney, Richard Foster, in an email.
An order-to-show-cause hearing is scheduled for May 27.

Source: glendalenewspress.com

Glendale: Protesters assemble at Americana after mall’s handling of apparel referencing Armenian Genocide

March 15, 2015 by administrator

By Arin Mikailian, arin.mikailian@latimes.com and Sameea Kamal, sameea.kamal@latimes.com

Elin Nazarian, who works at Shop1915.com, holds up a t-shirt for a prospective buyer at the Americana at Brand in Glendale on Friday, March 13, 2015

About 50 people, most of them Armenian-Americans, gathered at the Americana at Brand Friday evening wearing T-shirts that referenced the Armenian Genocide — shirts the outdoor mall’s management allegedly told the vendor to stop displaying before reversing their decision and issuing an apology on social media.

They were there in protest of the management’s decision, which recently came to light.

At around 6:30 p.m., protesters began assembling around the Brand Boulevard entrance. They walked inside the Americana and went, first, to the booth where the T-shirts were being sold.

PHOTOS: Quiet protest takes place at Americana over Armenian Genocide apparel

The T-shirts and hoodies were not on display because one of the owners of the business, Tina Chuldzhyan, said she still has not received a personal apology from Caruso Affiliated.

Later, the protesters walked in a circle around the outdoor mall.

Ara Manoogian, founder of the blog “The Truth Must be Told,” organized the event, which was meant to be a peaceful gathering. He said participants were handing out fliers with an article written about the controversy by an Armenian publication.

“The overall goal, at this stage, is to get an explanation from Americana management because there’s been a lot of inconsistencies,” Manoogian said, adding that if Americana officials want to show they’re sorry, they could host an event commemorating the centennial of the Armenian genocide because they’ve organized other events celebrating heritage, such as the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Glendale police officers were walking around the mall during the protest, but there was no confrontation with the protesters.

Source: Glendale news press

Americana at Brand Issues Apology to Armenian Cart Vendors

March 12, 2015 by administrator

The Americana at Brand

GLENDALE—The Americana at Brand issued an apology to Armenian cart vendors after the shopping center’s management chose to bar them from selling their merchandise saying that it was inappropriate.

“We would like to apologize to our cart tenants, Tina Chuldzhyan, Alex Kodagolian and Armin Hariri, for the regrettable misunderstanding regarding their cart’s merchandise,” the Americana at Brand posted on the company’s Facebook page. “The cart tenant is more than welcome to have its product in question displayed on the cart.”

On Monday, Asbarez published an article by Harut Saassounian, in his regular “My Turn” column, in which the he reported on Americana’s decision to ban the sale of Armenian Genocide-themed t-shirts.

“Three young Armenian entrepreneurs rented a cart last month at the Americana — a large shopping-restaurant-theater complex in Glendale — to sell T-shirts, hats, and other clothing items advertised on their shop1915.com website.

After Americana’s leasing staff approved their merchandise, Tina Chuldzhyan, Alex Kodagolian, and Armin Hariri (a rapper known as ‘R-Mean’) began selling their merchandise.

On February 12, the opening day of their business, the three Armenians were unexpectedly told by Americana’s management to keep their cart family-friendly and remove all pictures of protests. Even though there were no pictures of any protests on the cart — just posters of people wearing the T-shirts on sale — Chuldzhyan told The California Courier that she immediately took down the posters to avoid any conflict with Americana.

On Feb. 25, Americana issued an ultimatum telling Tina and her two partners that within 24 hours they had to change the kind of merchandise they were selling, claiming that there had been public complaints about the ‘genocide’ clothing. Otherwise, they would have three days to vacate the premises.

Fearing that they were on the verge of eviction, the three entrepreneurs agreed not to display the Armenian T-shirts, and sell them only if requested by a customer. Later that afternoon, an Americana official reiterated that all clothing items with the ‘genocide’ theme had to be completely removed from the cart,” wrote Sassounian.

Glendale, The Commercial Centre Americana Prohibits sale of T-shirts Genocide Theme

March 10, 2015 by administrator

By Harut Sassounian

Publisher, The California Courier

Armenian genocide centennial

Three young Armenian entrepreneurs praised last month a location Americana – a large complex shop-restaurant-theater in Glendale – to sell T-shirts, caps and other clothing items which advertising is visible on their website shop1915.com.

The team rentals Americana has approved their goods Chuldzhyan Tina, Alex Kodagolian and Armin Hariri (a rapper known as the ‘R-Mean’) began in the sale.

On February 12, the opening day of their activity, three Armenians were surprised to be told by the management of Americana their location should be held in accordance with good morals and all protest pictures were to be withdrawn . Although no image no protest was on location – only young pictures wearing t-shirts available for sale – Chuldzhyan told the California Courier that she immediately grabbed the posters to avoid conflict with Americana.

On 25 February, Americana was an ultimatum telling Tina and her two partners they had to change within 24 hours the kind of goods they were selling, citing public complaints relating to clothing ‘genocide’. Otherwise, they would have three days to evacuate.

Fearing forced eviction, the three contractors agreed not to show the Armenian t-shirts, and sell them at the request of customers. Later this afternoon, an attendant came Americana confirm that all items on the theme of ‘genocide’ should be removed entirely from the place.

This was clearly an intrusion into the affairs of the three Armenians. Americana had no right to ban the sale of T-shirts ‘genocide’ – a violation of the right of expression of the owner. In addition, on t-shirts that I saw during my visit last week there was not on the word genocide: they just bore the inscription “ARE WE THERE YET – 2015”. There were other T-shirts available for sale only with the letter P for Pentagon Records, the company name of Armenian entrepreneurs.

It is not sure that anyone has complained to management about Americana Armenian T-shirts. No one has ever sent any criticism to the owners of the business. Furthermore, assuming that someone has complained, does that mean that Armenian clothes, with or without the word genocide, should not be sold at Americana? It’s a slippery slope! If someone complained that books on the Holocaust and Genocide are sold in Barnes and Noble bookstores, in Americana, management of the mall she would ban the sale of such works? And what about the American cinemas showing films that may be offensive to some people, while they are shopping?

Having realized qu’Americana violated his civil rights, Tina consulted a lawyer to consider what actions could be taken to protect the interests of his case. She informed her lawyer that his contract with Americana did not prohibit the sale of clothing making mention of the genocide. The contract does not contain any restriction regarding pornography, elixirs and other drugs, and sale of used goods. The lawyer told Tina that even if the behavior of Americana was clearly illegal, she had no choice but to bow, having before it a large corporation provided with a consequent legal team.

Even very disappointed not to be able to assert their rights, Tina decided to follow the advice of his lawyer, and conformed ungraciously illegal and draconian demands of Americana, not to condemn his fledgling business. “I felt a bit like back in the days of Prohibition, selling contraband,” said Tina in California Courier.

Last week, Tina received new warnings of Americana, requiring him to show no clothing referring to genocide and that, even after she removed all other Armenian T-shirts, except the one saying WE ARE STILL THERE – 2015 ‘.

This controversy goes far beyond the sole interests of three young Armenians. Acts of Americana affect the civil rights of all traders and all of the Armenian community, especially on the eve of the centenary of the Armenian Genocide. Armenians in Glendale and city officials, who granted Americana generous tax exemptions, should immediately react to this situation and defend the rights of these three small business owners.

Americana is the property of Rick Caruso, who took advantage of friendly relations with the large Armenian community in Glendale. Hopefully Mr. Caruso will take the appropriate when it is made aware of the unacceptable and illegal actions of his team.

No one in the office of Americana, has wanted to answer my phone call after sending a message requesting explanations on the prohibition of the sale of Armenian clothing.