Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
By Sevag Tateosian
Staff Writer
Vandals repeatedly defaced a number of posters containing information about the Armenian Genocide that were on display in the Henry Madden Library the week prior to April 24, 2001.
The display, containing facts, pictures, and poems by notable authors such as William Saroyan and Siamanto (Adom Yarjanian), was prepared by members of the Armenian Students Organization (ASO) to educate the public about the events of the first Genocide of the twentieth century and in remembrance of the two million Armenians slaughtered by the Ottoman Turkish government
Just three days after the posters were set-up on the second floor bridge of the library, a few students found that someone had put yellow Post-It notes on them stating that the information was “incorrect.” Also written on the notes were the addresses of pro-Turkish websites containing anti-Armenian propaganda.
The vandalism however did not stop there. Later on in the week, pictures depicting the brutal treatment of the Armenians were ripped off the posters and a caramel-like substance was found covering one of the displays.
As painful as the Genocide is for Armenians, the news that the posters had been vandalized was like throwing gas on a burning flame. These types of acts add more painful emotion to an already emotion-filled situation. After being informed about the vandalism, members of the ASO condemned the acts and hoped that they would not continue.
When the library administration was informed about this situation, a spokesman promised that the area containing the posters would be more closely monitored but stated that the library was not responsible for anything that happened to the posters. The campus police were notified about the situation and are currently holding an investigation.