NEW YORK—A group of Armenian American artists, scholars, journalists, and activists issued a statement in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).
Protest at the Oceti Sakowin Camp (Photo: Hrag Vartanian)
The more than 30 signatories include artist and activist Serj Tankian, actor and playwright Eric Bogosian, novelists Chris Bohjalian, Micheline Aharonian Marcom, Aline Ohanesian, and Nancy Kricorian, artist and author Vahe Berberian, journalist and author Mark Arax, and journalist David Barsamian.
The statement notes that the construction of the pipeline threatens the environment and is a violation of Native American rights. “It constitutes a continuation of centuries-old policies of dispossession, destruction, and denial of indigenous people’s rights. As descendants of Armenian Genocide survivors, we cannot remain silent against these acts,” the statement reads.
For more on DAPL and how to get involved, go to: http://standwithstandingrock.net/
Below is the statement and the list of signatories.
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We, a group of Armenian American artists, scholars, and activists stand in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). The pipeline threatens water sources and the environment and violates Native American sacred land. It constitutes a continuation of centuries-old policies of dispossession, destruction, and denial of indigenous people’s rights. As descendants of Armenian Genocide survivors, we cannot remain silent against these acts. We join our voices with the Standing Rock Sioux in rejecting DAPL.
Nancy Agabian (New York)
Liana Aghajanian (Michigan)
Mark Arax (California)
Nora Armani (New York)
Sophia Armen (California)
Talin Avakian (Massachusetts)
Levon Avdoyan (Washington, D.C.)
David Barsamian (Colorado)
Vahe Berberian (California)
Eric Bogosian (New York)
Chris Bohjalian (Vermont)
Talar Chahinian (California)
Sara Cohan (California)
Hasmik Geghamyan (California)
Veken Gueyikian (New York)
Matthew Karanian (California)
Nancy Kricorian (New York)
Antranig Kzirian (California)
Micheline Aharonian Marcom (California)
Bared Maronian (Florida)
Marian Mesrobian MacCurdy (Massachusetts)
Susan A. Minasian (Pennsylvania)
Khatchig Mouradian (New York)
Eric Nazarian (California)
Aline Ohanesian (California)
Serda Ozbenian (Maryland)
Carolyn Rapkievian (Maryland)
Elyse Semerdjian (Washington)
Sanan Shirinian (California)
Jason Sohigian (Massachusetts)
Serj Tankian (California)
Anoush Fraser Terjanian (New York)
Henry Theriault (Massachusetts)
Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte (Maine)
Hrag Vartanian (New York)
Nicole Vartanian (New York)
Dana Walrath (Vermont)
Sarah Leah Whitson (New York)
Source: Armenian Weekly
Link: Armenian American Artists, Writers, and Activists Stand with Standing Rock