System of a Down

[ANCA]

Thought you might find this different approach of interest.

 

 

SYSTEM OF A DOWN STEPS UP

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

 

-- Calls on Fans to Urge Pres. Bush to Properly Commemorate Armenian

Genocide; Begins Charity Auction to Benefit ANCA Armenian Genocide

Recognition Efforts

 

-- Visit http://store.yahoo.com/allstarcharity/syst...temofadown.html

 

WASHINGTON, DC -- Popular Los Angeles based metal band System of A

Down issued their latest call for U.S. recognition of the Armenian

Genocide last week, asking fans to contact President Bush and urge

him to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as "genocide" in

presidential statements, reported the Armenian National Committee

of America (ANCA).

 

In a statement issued on April 23rd, System of a Down lead vocalist

Serj Tankian explained that "The constant, ridiculous denial of the

Armenian Genocide by not only Turkey but by consecutive U.S.

administrations made me aware of the world of disinformation and

injustices around the globe. The Armenian Genocide was the first

major genocide of the 20th century, and many people believe that

had the Ottoman Turkish been punished for their crime of genocide

after WWI, that Hitler would not have ventured his own." Referring

to statements by then presidential candidate George W. Bush

discussing the "genocidal campaign" against the Armenian people,

Tankian urged fans to "help him [Pres. Bush] stick to yet another

promise."

 

Tankian's calls for action on the Armenian Genocide are nothing new

for System of a Down followers. Band members -- bassist Shavo

Odadjian, vocalist Serj Tankian, guitarist Daron Malakian, and

drummer John Dolmayan -- have been outspoken in Armenian Genocide

recognition efforts, educating audiences about the first genocide

of the 20th century through their music (their song - P.L.U.C.K. -

focuses specifically on this crime against humanity) and their

website, which has featured a number of ANCA action items. In

November of 2000, the rock band organized a benefit concert, dubbed

"Souls: A Benefit for Recognition of the Armenian Genocide to Stop

Crimes Against Humanity," which drew a capacity crowd of over 1,300

and raised $20,000 for ANCA efforts to gain Congressional passage

of a resolution properly acknowledging the Armenian Genocide.

 

Internet Charity Auction to Benefit Genocide Recognition Efforts

----------------------------------------------------------------

 

As a follow up to their November, 2000 fundraising success, band

members are collaborating with allstarcharity.com, donating a

series of musical instruments, props and posters used during their

widely successful musical tour with Metallica and their appearance

at Ozzfest. Beginning on April 30th, several different items will

be offered for auction on the internet at two week intervals,

starting with a System of a Down-signed Drumhead -- a Remo

Weatherking Emperor clear drumhead, signed in black marker by Serj

Tankian, Shavo Odadjian, and John Dolmayan. Other band

paraphenalia to be auctioned includes a signed cymbal, posters,

laminates, a letterman jacket and faux cherry blossom trees (used

as backdrops during Ozzfest 1999).

 

"System of a Down continues to educate countless thousands about

the Armenian Genocide, reaching out through their concerts,

television appearances, interviews, website, and now this on-line

auction, to new audiences - both inside the Armenian community and

within their growing base of fans around the world," said ANCA

Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "Serj and the entire band

deserve a tremendous amount of credit for all they have done to

educate a new generation about the Armenian Cause."

 

Those interested in participating in the System of a Down charity

auction benefiting the ANCA should visit http://store.yahoo.com/allstarcharity/syst...temofadown.html or the

band's website, http://www.systemofadown.com. All bidding will be

done via System's website and all bids will be posted there daily.

 

The internet charity auction is run by allstarcharity.com, a

charity venture dedicated to raising funds and awareness of non-

profit organizations, through innovative celebrity based internet

auctions. All proceeds from the auctions go directly to the

celebrity's charity of choice, in this case the ANCA. Since their

launch last July, allstarcharity.com has raised over $350,000 for a

myriad of charitable organizations.

 

#####