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Sireli Ungerner,

The AYF-YOARF Eastern Region will be holding an event to commemorate the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide on Saturday, April 25, 2015, in New York City’s Bowling Green Park. This event will feature a broad base of support from AYFers across our region; its purpose is to educate the public on the Armenian Genocide and make noise in the biggest city in the United States. Applications are now live on AYF.org.

The Central Executive is putting the finishing touches on every piece of this weekend, but here is what you need to know:

What: AYF event (a hands-on, interactive demonstration) in an NYC park to raise awareness for the Armenian Genocide
When: Saturday, April 25, 2015 (all day)
Where: New York City’s Bowling Green Park
Application Fee: $30
Application Deadline: April 10

The Central Executive is hosting this event as a weekend package. Because the major Times Square commemoration of the 100th Anniversary will be taking place on Sunday, April 26, we have planned this event to kick off this monumental weekend. The weekend will involve activism, commemoration, celebration, and more. If you sign up and pay, you are giving the AYF your time for the entire day on Saturday, April 25. There will be no exceptions to this rule.

*The CE is STRONGLY encouraging that all who sign up for our event go to Times Square on April 26 as well.

The park event will involve AYF members splitting up into groups to engage the general public. We will ask people to sign their names in red paint or marker on a large white banner within a #TurkeyFailed stencil to symbolize their commitment to justice for human rights and the Armenian Genocide. AYF members will also be handing out informational pamphlets on the Genocide and potentially helping with a name reading ceremony to honor the victims of 1915.

The CE will be covering hotel rooms for Saturday night only. It is up to AYF members to decide whether they will arrive in NJ/NY on Friday or early Saturday morning to arrive by 10 AM.

On Saturday night after our demo, there is a cultural event honoring the Centennial in Patterson, NJ. Click here for more information on this event. CE is covering tickets for all who sign up for our event as well as transportation to/from the concert.

The $30 application fee will cover the following for all AYFers who sign up:
* Hotel for non-local AYFers Saturday night
* T-shirt for the park event
* Concert ticket/transportation for Saturday night
* Transportation costs to/from NYC on Saturday and Sunday – only if you travel with the group (NJ Arsen/NY Hyortik members who sign up will be covered for this too)

Not included in the app fee:
* Hotel Friday night (if you arrive then)
* Travel to/from NYC/NJ (i.e., trains, planes, gas for those not local)
* Food
* Any miscellaneous costs you incur

TIMELINE – Times are subject to change

Saturday, April 25, 2015

10 AM: Members arrive at DoubleTree Hotel in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
11 AM: Group departs for Bowling Greene Park in NYC.
12 PM: At the park, set up/prepare stations with large white posters/banners and red paint and markers. CE will prepare AYFers with their “elevator pitch” (10-30 second hook) to give to the public as they walk by.
1 PM: Members will engage the public and encourage participation at their stations. Each person will be asked to sign and mark our #TurkeyFailed/#ArmenianGenocide banner with their signature and handprints, stating that they are against the denial of the Genocide. Participants will receive an informational pamphlet, which will include general genocide talking points, an explanation of the purple flower used for the Centennial, recent news on combating genocide deniers, why denial is unacceptable, and an invitation to the April 26 Times Square event. We are hoping to get a minimum of 1,000 signatures on the banner.
5 PM: AYF members travel together back to hotel.
7:30 PM: AYF members head to Patterson for 100 Years & Beyond event.
Midnight: Return to hotel.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

9 AM: AYF members go to New Jersey’s Sts. Vartanantz Church and take a bus with the community to Times Square.
After Times Square Wraps: AYF members either return to Sts. Vartanantz or go back home with their community buses.

The Central Executive will continue to provide more information as details become finalized. We are asking all AYF chapters to share this application and information with your membership so that this event will be a huge success. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to relay them to us at CE@ayf.org.

Thank you in advance for your commitment to our common cause.

Ungeragan Cherm Parevnerov,
AYF-YOARF Eastern Region Central Executive