MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 15, 2017
Contact: Elen Asatryan
Phone: 818.672.6260
E-mail: Elen@thestarkgroup.net
Dean Cain, Community Organizations and Leaders to Join Armenian National Committee of America – Glendale Announcement of Americana At Brand Boycott
What: The Armenian National Committee of America – Glendale Chapter will hold a press conference to announce official boycott of the Americana at Brand and Caruso Affiliated. The scheduled press conference and the boycott is based on Caruso Affiliated’s utter lack of sensitivity toward the Armenian-American community, its decision to reject billboard space to an Armenian Genocide documentary, “Architects of Denial” calling it “too political.”, claiming that the advertisement would violate their “guideline principle,” which is to “ensure that everyone in the community feels welcome.” and Mr. Caruso’s unwillingness to immediately meet with ANCA Glendale to rectify the situation.
The Hashtag for this campaign is #BoycottAmericana
When: Thursday, August 17, 2017, 11:00AM
Where: Americana at Brand, On the Green
889 Americana Way #330, Glendale, CA 91210
Who: Armenian National Committee of America – Glendale
Executive Producer of Architects of Denial, Dean Cain
Armenian Youth Federation – Glendale Chapter
Armenian Bar Association
Elected officials, community leaders, and members
Background: The Americana at Brand rejected billboard space to an Armenian Genocide film calling it “too political.” The documentary, “Architects of Denial” aims to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide and human rights violations happening today.
On August 4 and August 8, 2017, ANCA Glendale submitted letters to The Americana at Brand and Caruso Affiliated requesting an immediate meeting and action to rectify this situation.
On August 9, 2017, ANCA Glendale launched a letter and call in campaign to Americana at Brand and Caruso Affiliated available at www.ancaglendale.org/endthegag. The action alert resulted in over 10,000 emails and phone calls to the management from residents, business owners and customers of the establishment, calling for immediate action.
On August 14, 2017, The Americana at Brand responded to the August 8 ANCA Glendale with an attachment of a letter sent to Cesares officially rejecting the advertisement space, claiming that the advertisement would violate their “guideline principle,” which is to “ensure that everyone in the community feels welcome.” The letter blatantly states that they have received comments from “the Turkish Consulate” in regards to the billboard, confirming that a business organization in the city of Glendale has now joined Turkey’s genocide denial campaign and is basing its advertising policy on the desires of a foreign, fascist, dictatorial state with one of the world’s worst records of human rights violations.
Yesterday, August 15, Executive Producers of “Architects of Denial”, Montel Williams and Dean Cain released a statement noting “The seriousness of this issue cannot and should not be understated. This is no longer about our movie or an advertisement. This is about vindicating the dignity of the victims and the survivors of a genocide.” Complete statement is available at https://ancaglendale.org/montel-cain/
The same evening, dozens of community leaders and members, including ANCA Glendale Chair Artin Manoukian and State Senator Anthony Portantino took to the Glendale City Council to provide powerful testimonies and ask the city to take immediate action in resolving the matter. The Councilmembers ended the oral communication section by condemning Caruso Affiliated’s decision and agendizing the matter for the next city council meeting The video from the city council meeting is available at https://www.facebook.com/ANCAGlendale/videos/10155628162177090/
The Armenian National Committee of America – Glendale advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the city’s Armenian American community and promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.