[ALBSA-Info] Albanian-Americans Hold Candle Light Vigils Across the Nation

[National Albanian American Council - NAAC]

National Albanian American Council
1700 K Street, N.W., Suite 1201, Washington, DC  20006
Telephone: (202) 466-6900   Fax: (202) 466-5593
Web: www.naac.org   Email: naac at naac.org
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release: September 18, 2001    Contact: Sokol Shtylla (202) 466-6900


Press Release
 
Albanian-Americans Hold Candle Light Vigils Across the Nation

Washington DC, (September 18, 2001) - The National Albanian American Council issued the following statement regarding candle light vigils organized by Albanian-Americans across the nation.

On the one-week anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C. Albanian-Americans are coming together across the country to remember the victims of these tragic events and their families and to express their support for President Bush and the Government's efforts to combat terrorism.  The National Albanian American Council, along with Albanian-American organizations throughout the U.S., is organizing candle light vigils in New York City; Washington D.C.; Boston; Worcester, MA; Chicago, IL; Warren, MI; and Waterbury, CT on Tuesday, September 18, from 7pm-9pm.

Like all Americans, Albanian-Americans are feeling great disbelief, sorrow, and anger over the recent tragedy that struck America.  Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of all the victims of the attacks against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.  NAAC strongly denounces these inhuman acts of violence that have claimed the lives of so many innocent people.

For Albanian-Americans, the United States, and New York in particular, has been a wonderful home.  We have a special relationship with America.   Most of us came to this great nation to escape political oppression, and in search of democracy, freedom, and opportunity.  We were drawn to America because Americans saved our motherland.  Once here, our special affinity for our new homeland became stronger when the United States intervened to stop the genocide in Kosova and to find a resolution to the war in Macedonia.  During both those tragedies in the Balkans, Americans opened their hearts and donated their time and money to help those in need.

Now is the time for all Americans to join together to give aid and comfort to the victims and their families and to support the war against terrorism.  By turning out nationwide, we offer our solidarity with the leadership of the United States and our fellow Americans.  We are eager to do all we can to support the effort to put an end to terrorists acts against the greatest country on Earth, the United States of America.

The following is information about the candle light vigils organized in each city:

Washington D.C. - Farragut Square, 17th and I Streets, NW
Contact: Sokol Shtylla (202) 466-6900
 
New York City - Union Square Park, 14th Street and 4th Avenue
Contact: Richard Lukaj (212) 272-6670
 
South Boston, MA - Albanian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George Plaza, 523 East Broadway
Contact: Stefan Kochi (617) 359-8132
 
Worcester, MA - St. Mary's Albanian Orthodox Church, 535 Salisbury St.
Contact: Eva Millona (617) 350-5489
 
Warren, MI - St. Paul's Albanian Catholic Church, 4311 Twelve Mile Rd.
Contact: Gjevalin Gegaj (248) 399-0007
 
Chicago - Daley Plaza, Jackson St. and Clark St, Across City Hall
Contact: Ilaz Kadriu (847) 322-7209
 
Waterbury, CT - Downtown Green, West Main Street
Contact: Nick Ozkan (203) 206-8773     Hikmet Zhuta (203) 755-7674
 
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