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A Letter from Serj Tankian |
Posted by sugar_buzz on Monday, November 06, 2006 - 06:24 PM
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A Letter From Serj Tankian
I am not one to keep silent when I see something wrong. So, today, I am writing to ask that you speak out with me on an issue that’s really important.
Right now, in Turkey, there is a law called Article 301 that makes it a crime to say or write anything deemed to be “un-Turkish”. Journalists, writers and many others who are vocal are facing trials under this law. In fact this year’s Nobel Prize winner for literature, Orhan Pamuk escaped conviction on a technicality for his mention of the 1 million Armenians living in Turkey who were murdered in the first part of the 20th century.
The Turkish Government is not alone in repressing speech. In the Sudan today tens of thousands have been killed and millions more have been driven from their homes. The Sudanese Government will not acknowledge the extent of the tragedy and refuses to protect its own people. Journalists, writers and many others have been jailed for speaking out.
I ask that you join me and other Amnesty International members to stand up for free speech. Please <a href=http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/c.goJTI0OvElH/b.953489/k.B86E/Action_Center_Home/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=goJTI0OvElH&b=953489&aid=7652> send an email to the Turkish government demanding that they uphold the right to free speech and repeal Article 301 of the penal code. In addition to speaking out against Article 301, I ask that you also <a href=http://darfur.amnestyusa.org/site/c.ggLLIYOHKrF/b.1848071/k.9E64/Sign_the_Petition_to_Stop_the_Killing/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=ggLLIYOHKrF&b=1848071&en=dnLBJGPmE7KxHFNlGaKAIFMlEcKOKRPpHcJEKONtEmLTI4J>take action through Amnesty and demand the protection of the men, women and children in the Sudan.
Amnesty’s e-mail actions really do work. In the past 45 years Amnesty has helped not only to release over 45,000 prisoners of conscience but have also helped to both change and abolish unfair laws like Article 301.
As a member of Amnesty International, I know I am helping to change the course of history and by taking action, so can you.
Thanks for speaking out for human rights!
Peace,
Serj Tankian
Lead Singer of System of a Down
Co-Founder of Axis of Justice
Links:
<a href=http://www.amnestyusa.org/musicforhumanrights/serjletter.html>Amnesty USA: Music for Human Rights
<a href=http://www.axisofjustice.org>Axis of Justice
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Comments
dinamiite
06.11.06, 22:02
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that is amazing. i love that he acctually cares.
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lasofia
06.11.06, 22:10
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I'm so proud of being one of Serj's fans...^^
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mom45
06.11.06, 22:20
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Thanks for posting this, Sugar!
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miss_black
06.11.06, 22:34
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there's just nothing to say... my father's very engaged, he's member of Amnesty and I shall tell him that. sure we can change the world, I see that everyday around me, that's just sad that we have to remind people to do that... peace
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Moonette
06.11.06, 22:57
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Awww, Serj.... ^____^ He's so kind.
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AG
07.11.06, 00:22
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Wow. I'm going to have to do this... thanks, Serj... and er... sugar_buzz!! :)
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melissalovesdaron
07.11.06, 01:19
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hell.. i posted this on myspace! now i have everybody posting all over myspace! :P awesomeness!! if yall want to know my myspace it's www.myspace.com/melissalovesdaronmalakian
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sugar_buzz
07.11.06, 02:50
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FYI: The origin of this letter was not MySpace. It was in an email sent to people who are on the Axis of Justice mailing list. I also posted this in a MS bulletin earlier this afternoon...right after I submitted it here and on the official System board. So repost, repost, repost everyone =)
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reinayamaoka
07.11.06, 03:05
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i totally got this from aoj! i love serj, it's just so amazing how much he cares ^^ he's so beautiful
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cozmachina
07.11.06, 03:18
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Beh... funny how it seems that he needs us to do something with or for him when it's convenient or when it's something that he needs... wtf
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Vicinity.of.Obscurity
07.11.06, 05:42
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Heh, this is a coincidence. I'm just about to register for Amnesty. Sweet. Well, this reminded me to register my Amnesty group this week. w00t for reminders. And awesome job, Serj. The world needs more people who care. Good on him for being one of those people. The guy is awesome.
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Karanime
07.11.06, 05:55
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I can't help but notice a lot of us wouldn't know or maybe even care about this kind of stuff if it wasn't for Serj. He really is changing the world, just by caring enough to write that.
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Queen_Eve
07.11.06, 13:14
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Agreed. If Serj wasnt making pleas like this.. or Madonna wasnt adopting babies from Africa... it all ends in the same difference. I appreciate SOAD, and their music. I like the lyrics and there are certainly some thought-provoking songs on their albums. But I dont understand why people elevate an artist or entertainer to god-like status. Comments like "that is amazing. i love that he acctually cares" and "i love serj, it's just so amazing how much he cares ^^ he's so beautiful" astound me. Did you expect that he not care? And why? Because he is a celebrity? What is so amazing that he cares? I wish more people cared about the issues without some famous person telling them to care. Maybe if they did, more people would be rewarded for their good work instead of their entertainment value.
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luvinit317
07.11.06, 16:04
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GO SERJ! IM AN ARMENIAN REPRESENTING!!!!!
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SimonHens
07.11.06, 18:44
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Serj is right ... i am going to send a mail :)
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miss_black
07.11.06, 22:21
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I just totally agree with Queen_Eve... people should think by themselves and act because they think it's what they have to do, not because some star said that was what they have to do... serj tankian probably does that as a citizen but the problem is that you wouldn't have paid attention if it was any citizen... mr smith won't be listened, because he's unknown. peace
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INFZ
09.11.06, 05:26
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^^^ Yes, we may learn a lot from Serj, but I'm sure he expects that. But, I didn't sign it just because Serj said to. I signed it, and sent a letter, because I truly give a damn.
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INFZ
09.11.06, 05:27
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And also, people listen to me if I try and get them to do something like this, so not only rock stars get listened to.
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