Boyajian Honored at State House

"The Armenian Weekly", Volume 74, No. 19, May 17, 2007

BOSTON, Mass. (A.W.)—On April 30, Governor’s Council Member Marilyn Petito Devany honored local activist David Boyajian at the State House for having shed light on the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) denialist polices regarding the Armenian Genocide in the Watertown Tab last year by presenting him with a plaque of recognition and officially proclaiming that particular April 30th “David Boyajian Day.”

The ceremony took place during the regular Governor’s Council Meeting with the participation of Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.

Devaney , who initiative the proclamation thanked Murray by stating, “I want to thank you for your kind words at the Armenian Genocide commemoration ceremony. As a lifelong resident of Watertown, this is very emotional for me as a friend of survivors.” She summarized the essence of the Anti-ADL conflict, saying, “David’s words did not reach just the Massachusetts Municipal Association,” who recently severed ties with the ADL-sponsored No Place for Hate program. “His words went worldwide. But as sometimes happens, the person who first pointed out the injustice is sometimes overlooked,” she added, alluding to the lack of thanks Boyajian received during this year’s genocide commemoration ceremony at the State House.

Boyajian accepted the plaque, thanked Murray, and directed the crowd’s attention to the activists among them, stating, “They have informed the nation.”

He also thanked the Armenian National Committee for leading the efforts and the Human Rights Committees in the 13 cities and towns in Massachusetts “who did the right thing by severing ties [with the ADL],” he said. “I want especially to thank those Jewish-Americans who stood firmly for principles when they could have remained silent.”