October 31, 2008
Los Angeles, CA - Over 50 Armenians for Obama (A4O) volunteers from all over the Greater Los Angeles area joined the Obama Campaign on Saturday, November 1, 2008 and called thousands of households in the crucial swing states of Colorado, Nevada, Indiana and North Carolina in support for Senator Barrack Obama.
"It's great to see young people here and engaged in making the change that this country needs," said Taleen Altounian, a volunteer with A4O. "Even though current issues such as the economy affect our lives there are still individuals who do not vote; that is where we come in and help to educate and empower people," remarked A4O volunteer Patil Aslanian.
"As Armenians we need to have our voices heard on a national level," said Khristina Karayan, who joined the group to help the campaign. "I am here today to make sure that Armenian issues get proper attention during this election," she added.
"Obama and Biden have been staunch supporters of Armenian American issues throughout the years and that is why I am volunteering today and showing my support," added Armenians for Obama activist Arek Santikian.
With just days left to the crucial November 4, 2008 presidential elections, the Obama-Biden campaign reaffirmed its commitment to Armenian Genocide recognition and a strong U.S.-Armenia relationship in a statement released this week. The statement titled "Barack Obama: Supporting U.S.-Armenia Relations," relayed to Armenians for Obama Chairman Areen Ibranossian and the ANCA, affirms that "The Armenian Genocide, carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923, resulted in the deportation of nearly 2 million Armenians, and approximately 1.5 million of those deported were killed. Barack Obama believes we must recognize this tragic reality and strongly supports a U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common security and strengthens Armenian democracy." The statement goes on to note "Barack Obama strongly supports passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106) and will recognize the Armenian Genocide." "If you do not vote, you are voting for the status quo," said Vana Chalian, a volunteer with Armenians for Obama. "As an Armenian American I would vote for Obama if I was of voting age but since I cannot I want to help out and encourage others to do so," she added.
"Most of the people that I have spoken with have been strong Obama supporters who know the issues and know that Obama is the right choice," said Serob Abrahamian, a volunteer with Armenians for Obama. Armenians for Obama has taken an active role in campaigning for Senator Obama in numerous other states including the pivotal swing states of Nevada and Colorado, Michigan, Virginia and Pennsylvania, in addition to California, New York and numerous other states.
Armenians for Obama is a nationwide voter registration, education, and mobilization effort dedicated to electing Barack Obama President. Based in Los Angeles and with chapters and affiliates across the nation, Armenians for Obama will harness the energy and enthusiasm for Barack Obama's candidacy to ensure record high Armenian American turnout in critical battleground states.