ANCA Orange County

“The University of California, Irvine’s Armenian Studies Program on June 15 celebrated its first Ph.D graduate, Bedros Torosian.

“A rather new program, the UCI Armenian Studies was first established in 2015 through the passion, guidance, and years of labor of Sylvie Tertzakian, who galvanized the Armenian community to support the establishment of the program.”

UCI Armenian Studies Program Celebrates First Doctoral Graduate – Asbarez.com The University of California, Irvine’s Armenian Studies Program on June 15 celebrated its first Ph.D graduate, Bedros Torosian.

Dear community. Please join us for the annual celebration of Armenian Independence Day. Details in the flyer below.

Call to Action – Call Your Rep to Cosponsor “Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act” by Rep. Titus

Rep. Dina Titus, Congresswoman from Nevada is preparing to introduce the "Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act" which targets over 40 Azerbaijani officials with sanctions reviews for their human rights abuses and violations of international law. The bill would require the Biden Administration to review those named in the bill within 180 days and determine the applicability of sanctions under the Magnitsky Act.

Earlier today, your ANCA team in DC reached out to Armenian Caucus members in Congress to request their support. We now ask that you as constituents echo and reinforce the ANCA request by reaching out to your local elected Representative at both their DC and local office in district to encourage ask him/her to cosponsor the Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act of 2024 being introduced by Rep. Titus. The deadline for original cosponsors is this Thursday, April 25th, so call now!

Elected Representatives from OC:

YOUNG KIM (R-40)
Washington DC Office: (202) 225-4111
Local Office: (714) 984-2440

MICHELLE STEEL (R-45)
Washington DC Office: (202) 225-2415
Local Office: (714) 960-6483

LOU CORREA (D-46)
Washington DC Office: (202) 225-2965
Local Office: (714) 559-6190

KATIE PORTER (D-47)
Washington DC Office: (202) 225-5611
Local Office: (949) 668-6600

MIKE LEVIN (D-48)
Washington DC Office: (202) 225-390
Local Office: (949) 281-2449

“Forbidden Homeland: Story of a Diasporan” — join author Dr. Katia Tavitian Karageuzian and special guest speaker Judge Gassia Apkarian 1:30 pm on Sunday at OC’s Harut Barsamian Armenian Center

“Forbidden Homeland: Story of a Diasporan” — join author Dr. Katia Tavitian Karageuzian and special guest speaker Judge Gassia Apkarian 1:30 pm on Sunday at OC’s Harut Barsamian Armenian Center

Ask our Senators to Back 502B Resolution to Trigger Unprecedented Investigation into Azerbaijani Rights Abuses and War Crimes

Action ➡️ https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/ANCA/campaigns/111184/respond

Press release ➡️ https://anca.org/press-release/senators-markey-and-cassidy-introduce-resolution-asserting-congressional-oversight-over-u-s-military-assistance-to-azerbaijan/

Click https://anca.org/502Bcall to demand that your U.S. Senators hold Azerbaijan accountable - for today’s killing of five Armenians and for all of its genocidal violence against and . Pass S.Res.540

CALL & DEMAND INVESTIGATION OF AZERBAIJAN’S CRIMES Call and ask your Senators to Back 502B Resolution to Trigger Unprecedented Investigation into Azerbaijani Rights Abuses and War CrimesTake two minutes to call on your two U.S. Senators to cosponsor the Markey-Cassidy Resolution – a bipartisan...

Source:301arm
On January 22, a memorandum was signed in the State Assembly of California on the establishment of cooperation between the US state of California and the RA Syunik region.
RA National Assembly “Hayastan” faction parliamentarian Arthur Khachatryan, local legislators, and representatives of the attended the signing ceremony.
In his speech Arthur Khachatryan thanked California legislators and the Armenian national committee for supporting this historic effort to strengthen ties between California and Armenia.
Khachatryan emphasized that the adoption of the resolutions “is a very important political message to the world, Azerbaijan and its patron Turkey.”
Earlier, the state parliament of California also adopted another pro-Armenian resolution, condemning Azerbaijan’s blockade and aggression against Artsakh, demanding the immediate release of Armenian prisoners of war and high-ranking leaders of Artsakh, reaffirming Artsakh’s right to self-determination and calling for active steps to condemn Azerbaijan’s hostile policy against Armenia.

The ANCA welcomes today’s launch of a leadership committee advancing the right of ’s Armenians to return in security to their indigenous homeland

Vartan Oskanian, Armine Aleksanyan, Gegham Stepanyan, Mario Nalbandian, Kaspar Garabedian, Karnig Kerkonian, Karen Bekaryan

“We are excited to move something like this forward of this gravity,” said Councilmember Mike Carroll, who also chairs the Great Park Board.

For Irvine’s Great Park, an Armenian genocide memorial is in the works The memorial is planned for an area that “is a mix of quiet contemplation and social interaction,” one city official said.

RFK, Jr.: “I will do everything in my power to peacefully restore Armenian sovereignty of Artsakh” WASHINGTON—U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. once again pledged that his administration would leverage U.S. power to restore Armenian sovereignty over Artsakh and reunify Armenian lands during a reception hosted by Armenian community leaders [...]

The ANCA welcomes as a viable third presidential option - especially given that the two most likely candidates & ) are guilty of having armed Azerbaijan’s genocide of
Artsakh’s Christian Armenians.

Netanyahu and Erdogan - despite all their toxic talk - stand shoulder-to-shoulder on at least two
Issues:
1) Denying Turkey’s of 1915.
2) Arming Azerbaijan’s Genocide of in 2023

PSEKA's Philip Christopher: "From the horrors of Vietnam to the jails of Chile and Argentina to the atrocities of Khmer Rouge in Cambodia and the massacres and rapes in by invading Turkish troops in 1974, Kissinger should have been on trial for crimes against humanity!"

Act now to increase security and humanitarian support for Armenians ➡️➡️ http://anca.org/security

All-ASA and Armenian Student Associations on campuses across the US raise awareness for Artsakh with candlelight vigils, newspaper articles, programs, and collected over $30k!
Show your appreciation and support for our amazing college and university students who make up our ASs by attending their free public events this week on a campus near you:
11/27: presents
Genocide Education and Artsakh with
11/28: hosts a discussion with Luis Moreno Ocampo, 1st chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court about the recent genocide of Armenians of Artsakh.
11/29: and cohost a discussion with about the recent Artsakh crisis.
11/30: and cohost a discussion with , director of , about his journey from LA to Artsakh, blockade, ethnic cleansing and an undying fight for justice.
12/1: Chapman hosts a
Screening of Invisible Republic, a journalists view of the 44-day war in Artsakh.

Behind every dollar of aid lies a heavy choice: to empower or enable. The United States must reassess the implications of its support. Ceasing aid to dictatorial regimes that suppress freedom is a commitment to justice and the right to freedom.
Take immediate action at anca.org/alert.

ANCA '24
Presidential Scorecard:
Biden & Trump have both armed Azerbaijan.
Neither has condemned Azerbaijan.
Ramaswamy has been most forceful in condemning Azerbaijani aggression.
Desantis & Haley have joined him in calling out Azerbaijan. The rest of the field has been silent.

Write a caption... BREAKING: The International Court of Justice of the United Nations orders provisional measures against Azerbaijan.
Armenia submitted the claim on September
28, during the forced displacement of Armenians from Artsakh.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry already commented on the verdict, stating "We commit ourselves to fulfill these commitments and focus on building a peaceful and prosperous region."
According to the verdict, Azerbaijan is obligated to ensure the safe, unimpeded and expeditious return of the persons who have left Artsakh after 19 September 2023 and who wish to return to Artsakh.
Furthermore, Azerbaijan is mandated to ensure a safe and swift departure for those who opted to remain in Artsakh after the forced displacement and now wish to leave.
Azerbaijan is tasked with safeguarding individuals who choose to stay in Artsakh post-September 19, 2023, or return, ensuring their freedom from coercion or threats. The decision necessitates Azerbaiian to comply with its obligations outlined in the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. This involves safeguarding registration, identity, and property documents, acknowledging them as foundational in administrative and legislative practices.
Azerbaijan must submit a report to the Court within 8 weeks of the decision being published. This report should outline the planned measures for carrying out these temporary directives.
This legal action falls under the 'Armenia vs.
Azerbaiian' case based on the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Source :301arm

ANCA OC co-hosted a meeting with Congresswoman Katie Porter with constituents Dr. Kev Abazajian and Dr. Ara Apkarian, with Garo Madenlian, Maral Kalinian, and Alex Galitsky. Rep. Porter expressed how horrific Azerbaijan’s actions have been in Artsakh, and committed to co-sponsor H.R. 5683 and H.R. 5686. She will also support further action by the House Oversight Committee to hold Azerbaijan accountable.

Take action yourself at ANCA.org/alert