One hundred and eleven years have passed since the Armenian Genocide—when the Ottoman Empire systematically killed 1.5 million Armenians in 1915.
Not only is it a day of remembrance in Armenia but also for millions across the world–including one of the largest diaspora communities right here in Glendale.
The community gathered to remember the past and recognize those advocating for justice.
This April 24th, The Truth and Accountability League honored several people who are actively doing the work.
Congresswoman Judy Chu was honored for her continued efforts to speak out on Armenian issues, including the 2020 Nagorno-Karabagh war, a conflict that left thousands dead and displaced thousands of Armenians from their indigenous land.
“We must all commit to ensuring that this atrocity never happens again, and that means i will always write in congress to support Armenia–and the Armenian-American people, said Congresswoman Chu to a room full of attendees at the Central Library in Glendale.
Chu is one of the few members of congress to have visited Artsakh, an experience she says left a lasting impression of the community’s resilience and unity. “That organization and passion has to be there when there are terrible things that occur–such as when Dr. Oz went to the Armenian bakery and was accusing basically the whole Armenian community of being fraudulent. That’s not right. That’s stereotypical. That’s hateful. That’s not right.”
Congresswoman Laura Freidman was also honored. She said, “from the very start, the Armenian community here, which by the way is everywhere here. It’s my neighbors, it’s my friends, it’s my child’s friend in school, has been the most vibrant, amazing, welcoming, wonderful lovely community that its so hard for me to imagine what Glendale would be like without the Armenian community here.”
In 2020 Azerbaijan backed by Turkey used drones and white phosphorus to attack the Armenian population in Artsakh killing and injuring thousands. A nine month blockade followed causing severe food and utility shortage forcing 120 thousand people – almost the entire population in the region – to flee.
Human rights organizations called the displacement of the Armenians from their ancestral land – ethnic cleansing. This was followed by Azerbaijan taking prisoners of war and holding sham trials.
Friedman said, “I along with my colleague Judy Chu demanded the release of all remaining Armenian POW’s, and the fact that there still are prisoners of war being held by Azerbaijan is something we cannot rest until it is remedied.”
Journalist Ana Kasparian was also honored. While many talked about rememberance, Kasparian pointed out that global conflicts around the world don’t happen in a vacuum. Her speech offered a more direct and critical perspective demanding present-day accountability.
“The majority of the weapons used against the Armenian people were supplied by Israel.” She added, “I’d like to use this opportunity to expose the ongoing persecution that Armenians and many others face today with the funding and gleeful support from the United States government.’’
She points to the global dimensions of the conflict and the role of international powers saying, “when the weapons that Israel has are funded and supplied by the american people thanks to our government that’s a big problem, and it’s time we hold our lawmakers accountable for that”
Also honored at the event was … former West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne– and artist Arpi Krikorian.
