By Anna Ghazaryan

Armenian News-NEWS.am presents an interview with Executive Director of the Armenian National Congress of America Aram Hamparian.

What events is ANCA planning to hold in U.S. in connection with the centennial of the Armenian Genocide?

The ANCA is a national organization – with offices, board, chapters, and activists at the national, state and local levels – so we will be organizing and supporting a broad range of both commemorative and advocacy events across the United States.

Among these, of course, will be the Capitol Hill observance for Members of Congress on April 22nd, and the May 7th program at the National Cathedral featuring our Church leaders, President Sargsyan, and our community leadership. There will be major marches in Los Angeles and New York, and protests, vigils, conference, advocacy trips and other programs in nearly every U.S state. In addition to these civic efforts, we are seeing a blossoming of art, music, film, literature and other cultural expressions of the Armenian experience and our national aspirations. At the top of this list, of course, is System of a Down’s Wake Up the Souls international tour.

Do you think we have to expect changes in U.S. policy on the Armenian Genocide issue? What can happen that would lead U.S. to change its stance on the matter?

The greatest ally of the truth is light. The Armenian Cause flourishes in the sunshine of public scrutiny. This is because we are advancing a moral cause. At the same time, we have seen that the worst betrayals of our cause have been committed in the shadows.

The Centennial is, of course, drawing a great measure of attention to Turkey’s denial of truth and obstruction of justice for the Armenian Genocide. This has had the positive effect of moving policymakers to do the right thing. Whether this public attention and our re-doubled efforts are enough to break Turkey’s gag-rule on America remains to be seen.

Turkey decided to hold the Battle of Gallipoli 100th anniversary events on April 24. What moves are Armenians of America making to neutralize Turkey’s propaganda?

The good news is that this transparent ploy didn’t fool anyone. It was broadly rejected as a cheap trick, even by commentators in Turkey. Nonetheless, we continue to educate U.S. officials about this shameful stunt and to discourage American officials from attending.

April 24, 2015 has a huge importance for all Armenians and the Armenians of U.S. What are your next moves? What ANCA is going to do after April 24?

The Armenian nation is today on a march to justice. We have, in the century since our near annihilation, risen up and rebuilt. We are today, having developed a powerful diaspora, saved Artsakh, and re-established our independence, starting this second century by demanding and what is rightfully ours – not simply to honor our past but to serve our future. Step by step, we are working to realize our dreams.

Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide represents a security threat to Armenia and all Armenians. Justice for this crime remains an essential key to Armenia’s survival and long-term viability. It is that context that we are working for a truthful and just international resolution of this crime, alongside our defense of Artsakh, strengthening of Armenia, support for Javakhk, and other pro-Armenian initiatives. Justice for the Armenian Genocide is a core aim of the ANCA, a central element of our enduring struggle for Armenia’s place at the table of nations – a struggle that began long before 1915 and that will continue long after 2015.