Kurdish National Congress of North America
P.O. Box 1663, P.O. Box 430898,
Lake Forest, CA 92630 3980 Grandpark Dr.,
USA Mississauga, ONT, L5B 4A7
Tel/Fax: 949-583-1417 www.kncna.org CANADA
Press Release
Midway through the 19th Annual Conference of the Kurdish National Congress (KNC) on March 23 & 24, 2007 a group of thugs threatened the Hilton Hotel, site of the Conference, stating that the hotel must lower the Kurdish flag flying in front of the hotel or they would cut it down. The General Manager of the hotel made the decision to lower the Kurdish flag, along with the American and California flags in respect for the Kurdish flag.
The KNC organizing committee had selected the Hilton in Irvine, CA only after the hotel made a verbal agreement to raise the Kurdish flag throughout the conference. At the Conference opening the delegates gathered to sing the Kurdish national anthem and observe the raising of the Kurdish and American flags. The following day the hotel manager gave in to the threat of the terrorists and lowered all flags – American, Kurdish, and California.
Apparently the hotel manager felt threatened and had no option but to accommodate the terrorists – in violation of our civil rights – before consulting with KNC organizers. While the manager’s decision is understandable, we expect the Hilton to assist the authorities in finding the threatening individuals so as to bring them to court. Otherwise such enemies of democracy and freedom will continue with their malicious behavior.
Even here in the United States – land of freedom and democracy – the Kurdish people cannot escape the threats of the occupiers of Kurdistan. If the Kurdish national flag cannot be raised here like all other flags, where can we raise this flag, which identifies our land and the people?
If we cannot exercise our basic human rights in this land, imagine what rights we have under those same occupiers of Kurdistan. This is a threat not only against our people; it is a threat to peace and stability around the world.
The Kurdish National Congress condemns all terrorist acts – against the Kurdish people and against all people of the world. This incident is a continuation of the aggression against our nation. We call on the International Community, the United Nation and the United States of America to protect the rights of the Kurdish people from the aggression of the occupiers of Kurdistan and grant them the right to self-determination.
For more information please email: knc@kurdishnationalcongress.org
Date published: Sunday, March 25, 2007