Urban Spectrum Features - 08/28/2006

Journey For Humanity And Journey For Life Successfully End Their Walk Though Front Range Communities

Greeley, Colorado was the last stop for Journey for Humanity’s eight day collaborative program with Journey for Life, sponsored by the Colorado Coalition for Genocide Awareness and Action(CCGAA).
Starting in Los Angeles, California on June 27, United Armenian Students began their

3000 mile, 12 state, Journey for Humanity that will end in Washington, D.C. in early November. The purpose of both journeys is to raise awareness of genocides past and present and to educate citizens about the actions that need to be taken now regarding the present genocide in Darfur.
Recently, both groups merged on the steps of the City and County Building of Denver for a welcoming ceremony prior to their combined walk through cities in the front range (Boulder, Longmont, Loveland, Fort Collins and Greeley).

Among the speakers were Roz Duman, founder and coordinator for CCGAA; Ahmed Ali, General Secretary of the Darfur Association-USA; Kim Christanian, Chairperson of the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee of Colorado; Hasmig Tatiossian, one of the Armenian students; and Essie Garrett, 1996 Olympic torchbearer for the State of Colorado. Ms. Garrett walked with the group for the Colorado portion representing the Coalition.

Accompanying the walkers and coordinating team was the The Dead Weight of Complacency, a photographic exhibit created by Coalition members that chronologically shows the horrific history of genocides from the Spanish Inquisition in 1498 to today’s current genocide in Darfur. In addition, the group met with representatives from Senate and Congressional offices to inform them about the urgent need to end the genocide in Darfur and to advocate for their support of genocide-related legislation.

Roz Duman stated, “Before this journey, I was very aware of people being complacent and uneducated about genocides in this century, but was shocked at the number of people who don’t even know the meaning of genocide. We have a long road ahead of us to accomplish our mission of challenging our society to end complacency toward and raising awareness of genocides past and present, and taking action to stop genocides present and future. I am thankful we had the opportunity to join with these passionate and committed young people while they were in Colorado. Together, I know we opened some hearts and eyes to the issue”.

Source: Urban Spectrum