Category: 2023

LOS ANGELES—The Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA presents “Armenian Rebirth: The Last Plight,” an evening with Garo Paylan, a leading opposition voice and a human rights defender in Turkey. This event will take place on Tuesday, October 17 at 7 p.m. (Pacific Tim at UCLA Mong Learning Center (Engineering VI Building) and remotely via the Zoom Webinar platform and YouTube.

Paylan will address the recent blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the military attack by Azerbaijan and resulting ethnic cleansing of the entirety of Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh, ongoing acts of genocide, and potential steps moving forward.

Garo Paylan served in the Turkish parliament for eight years, from 2015 to June 2023, and is internationally recognized for his struggle for democracy and minority rights in Turkey, as well as his support for peace in the Caucasus.

Paylan was among the very few Armenians to be elected to the Turkish parliament and was the first lawmaker to submit an amendment for the recognition of the Armenian genocide in Turkey. He continued to highlight the need for Turkey to face this historic tragedy throughout the time he served in the parliament but was legally prosecuted for his amendments and statement.

Registration for this event is required and free. To register please visit the website. The evening will conclude with a small reception in the Engineering VI foyer.

This event is hosted by the Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA in partnership with the Center for Truth and Justice and co-sponsored by the Armenian Students’ Association at UCLA, The Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA School of Law, the UCLA Luskin Center for History and Policy, and the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research.

For more information, please contact The UCLA Promise Armenian Institute at [email protected] or visit The Institute’s website.

The Promise Armenian Institute was established at UCLA in late 2019 as a hub for world-class research and teaching on Armenian Studies and for coordinating Interdisciplinary Research and Public Impact Programs across UCLA, and with the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora.

Center for Truth and Justice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, established in November 2020 in response to the Nagorno-Karabakh war. CFTJ is a group of lawyers overseeing the collection of firsthand testimonial evidence from war survivors via in-depth, recorded interviews.

A scene from the ABMDR's 18th annual walkathon in Glendale. Photo by Aleko Boghoskhanian / ABMDR

LOS ANGELES—Over 350 supporters gathered at the plaza of the Glendale City building, in Glendale, California, on October 7 to participate in the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry’s 18^th annual Walk of Life walkathon. The pan-Armenian event, which benefited ABMDR’s life-saving mission, was of extraordinary significance this year, as it was dedicated to the people of Artsakh.

With a life-affirming message of solidarity and hope, and held in a festive community atmosphere, Walk of Life drew strong youth participation. In addition to individual teams of walkers, there were teams representing local schools, among them Providence High School and West Coast University.

During the opening ceremony, remarks were delivered by Walkathon Committee co-chairs Dr. Christina Garabedian and Hratch Postik.

Walkathon Committee co-chairs Hratch Postik and Dr. Christina Garabedian. Photo by Aleko Boghoskhanian / ABMDR

Garabedian welcomed the attendees and acknowledged the presence of community leaders and elected officials, including California State Senator Anthony Portantino and Glendale City Council member Ardy Kassakhian.

“Thank you all for being believers in our organization,” Garabedian said. “Our mission is simple: to save lives all over the world.”

Garabedian went on to thank the walkathon’s sponsors, including Foundation Lab, the event’s major sponsor; as well as Softline Solutions; Paulette Melekian; Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger; Print On All; DJ Eddy O; Dr. Vergine Madelian, who had donated her own creations of hand-made Christmas ornaments and cards; Faith in Angels Hospice; RaMa Drugs; and Aleko Boghoskhanian, who, as an ABMDR volunteer, has been photographing the walkathon for many years.

As Garabedian added, walkathon participants were provided with pastries donated by Porto’s Bakery, coffee and cookies donated by McDonald’s, and ice cream donated by Tamara Ice Cream.

In his remarks, Walkathon co-chair Hratch Postik said, “We are a 100-percent volunteer organization. We depend on the dedication of our volunteers, and would love to welcome new volunteers into our ranks to be able to continue to fulfill our mission.” Postik went on to acknowledge the many volunteers who, as members of the Walkathon Committee, had helped organize the event.

Fathers Zareh Sarkissian (left) and Zaven Markosyan performing the event’s invocation. Photo by Aleko Boghoskhanian / ABMDR

“It’s due to fundraising events such as this that we are able to move the mission of ABMDR forward,” Garabedian said. “Currently our organization has over 33,500 potential bone marrow donors in 44 countries, and has facilitated 40 bone marrow transplants.”

The walkathon’s invocation was performed by Fathers Zaven Markosyan of the Western Diocese and Zareh Sarkissian of the Western Prelacy.

Next to address the attendees was ABMDR’s co-founder and president, Dr. Frieda Jordan, who said, “Last week, we lost a major part of our homeland, our beloved Artsakh, and close to 120,000 of our compatriots were forcibly displaced from their millennia-old birthplace, becoming refugees. Among them are a great many of our own bone marrow donors and patients.”

ABMDR president Dr. Frieda Jordan. Photo by Aleko Boghoskhanian / ABMDR Senator Anthony Portantino, a longtime supporter, presented Dr. Frieda Jordan with a Certificate of Recognition on behalf of the California Senate. Photo by Aleko Boghoskhanian / ABMDR

“Today,” Dr. Jordan continued, “we’d like to say to the world, and our community, that we are going to walk very strong, very tall, in honor of all our people, in honor of our donors and patients across the globe.”

As she concluded her remarks, Dr. Jordan said, “I’d like to invite our very good friend and our very dear honorary Armenian, Senator Anthony Portantino, to say a few words.”

As he came to the podium, Portantino said, “We send our love and prayers to the 120,000 refugees who were displaced from their homes in Artsakh. I love ABMDR, and thank you all for participating in today’s walk and helping save lives.”

Subsequently Portantino presented Dr. Jordan with a Certificate of Recognition on behalf of the California Senate. “I’m pleased to congratulate you for your passion and your vision on the occasion of the 18^th annual Walk of Life,” Portantino said.

Prior to the start of the walkathon, Garabedian recognized young brothers Sevan and Aren Barkhoudarian as the team that had raised the most funds; the Providence High School team as the one that had the most participants, thanks to the encouragement of Mrs. Sona Ashjian and Miss Janet Fontaine; and Team Arpine Zohrabyan and West Coast University as another top fundraising team.  

Following the ribbon-cutting, the 5-K walk-run looped through central Glendale. The walkathon concluded at the plaza of the Glendale City building, where the festivities continued into the day. The event also gave participants the opportunity to join ABMDR as potential bone marrow stem cell donors, as volunteers were on hand to answer questions and welcome new recruits.

Established in 1999, ABMDR, a nonprofit organization, helps Armenians and non-Armenians worldwide survive life-threatening blood-related illnesses by recruiting and matching donors to those requiring bone marrow stem cell transplants. To date, the registry has recruited over 33,500 donors in 44 countries across four continents, identified over 9,000 patients, and facilitated 40 bone marrow transplants. For more information, call (323) 663-3609 or visit the website.

BY KATY SIMONIAN

The Armenian National Committee of America–Western Region will salute L.A. City Council President Paul Krekorian with the prestigious “Advocate for Justice” Award for his decades of outstanding leadership for the City of Los Angeles and for his bold efforts to stand in solidarity with the people of Artsakh in the name of genocide prevention and justice.

The Armenian-American community will have the opportunity to honor Krekorian and his history making achievements at the 2023 Awards Banquet which will take place on Sunday, November 12.

Following nearly ten months of Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade of Artsakh and its military onslaught which resulted in the forced depopulation of Artsakh, the ANCA-WR Board seriously considered canceling this year’s Awards Gala. However, remembering the inspiring words of Artsakh Foreign Minister and last year’s Freedom Award honoree David Babayan, who is currently unlawfully imprisoned in Baku, the ANCA-WR Board decided that it must not cower in the face of Azeri aggression and that it must forge ahead in a show of unity and resilience against the injustices inflicted on our people, pledging to donate a portion of the proceeds toward humanitarian assistance for Artsakh genocide survivors.

On August 23,  Krekorian and his colleague Councilmember Traci Park unveiled the “Republic of Artsakh Square,” on the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Granville Avenue, in front of the building that houses Azerbaijan’s Consulate to Los Angeles.

A poetic act of defiance, full of substance and clarity, Council President Krekorian’s move serves as a reminder to Azerbaijan and to all people that Artsakh is the center of Armenia’s ancestral lands and that Los Angeles stands in solidarity with the Armenians of Artsakh and with this fundamental truth.

His leadership in calling for the United States to recognize and protect the people of Artsakh from genocide is another act of political courage, adding to the decades of excellence with which Paul Krekorian has served his community.

“The ANCA-WR is proud to stand alongside L.A. City Council President Paul Krekorian as he continues to advocate for the local Armenian-American community as well as the people of Armenia and Artsakh,” says ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian, Esq.

“He has made history as the first Armenian to hold elected office in the City of Los Angeles and we are confident that because of his transformative leadership, many others will follow in his footsteps. He is a formidable ally who has created an unshakeable space of support for Armenia, as his presence continues to prove impactful across the local, national and global political sphere in the fight for justice,” added Hovsepian.

While the crisis is critical, as threats against Armenia continue, Krekorian’s commitment is strong, clear and unwavering.

“I am deeply moved to receive this honor from the ANCA Western Region,” said Council President Krekorian. “The opportunity to serve the people is an honor in itself, but I am grateful for this recognition of my service, which I consider my duty to the people I represent.”

As the first Armenian-American to hold elected office in the City of Los Angeles and the first to serve as Council President, Krekorian continues to make history as a leading voice for justice for the Armenian Genocide as he maintains his support for relief measures to aid the besieged Armenians of Artsakh.

Krekorian has represented the second district on the Los Angeles City Council since 2010. He was previously a member of the California State Assembly, representing the 43rd Assembly district, serving the largest Armenian-American constituency in the Assembly.

A first-generation college graduate, he received his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Southern California and his law degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Before entering politics, he enjoyed a successful 20-year career as an attorney in the private sector. Born in the San Fernando Valley, Krekorian was raised with an appreciation of public service from his mother JoAnn and father Erwin, a World War II veteran who served in the Marine Corps. As a man of immense integrity, heralded for the respect he commands from all political parties, Krekorian continues to inspire young generations of Armenians and people of all walks of life to embrace the rich diversity of Los Angeles and the opportunity to give back in service to others.

As Chair of the City Council’s powerful Budget and Finance Committee for the past ten years, Krekorian led the city to recovery from two fiscal calamities – the Great Recession and the economic collapse caused by the strain of 2020’s COVID-pandemic, completing 11 balanced budgets and building the strongest reserves in the City’s history.

In 2022, Krekorian was unanimously elected by his fellow Councilmembers to serve as the 26th President of the Los Angeles City Council, demonstrating leadership across the political aisle to unite the city in a time of great crisis and strife. In an era of deep political disillusion, which causes people to lose faith in their elected officials and the political process, Paul Krekorian has stood as an example of exceptional leadership. 

For his years of service to the City of Los Angeles and the Armenian community, he received the Gratitude Medal of Armenia in recognition of his work to stand in solidarity with Armenia and Artsakh to build a peaceful future. As his wife Tamar and children Andrew and Lori proudly watched as he received the medal from Armenia’s Consul General Armen Baibourtian, Krekorian felt the presence of the many generations of his family who came before him. 

In 2023, he was awarded the St. Nerses Shnorhali Medal, by order of His Holiness Karekin II, in recognition of his advocacy for the Armenian people in the Diaspora and in Armenia and Artsakh. As the people of Artsakh have been forced to leave their homes to escape impending genocide, Krekorian continues to unite officials across Southern California, most notably L.A. Mayor Karen Bass to raise their collective efforts calling upon the Biden Administration to act to prevent further crimes against humanity through recognition and crucial humanitarian assistance.

In 2013, Krekorian joined an official delegation of the ANCA-WR on a legislative trip to Armenia and Artsakh. Throughout his tenure, he has hosted many leaders of Armenia and Artsakh in Council chambers, welcoming and solidifying the relationship between the city and the Armenian homeland and the Sister City relationship between Los Angeles and Yerevan.

He has also spearheaded the USC Policy Fellows Program with the USC Institute of Armenian Studies, hosting scholars from Armenia who receive training in local government from the City of Los Angeles.

In 2015, along with then-Mayor Eric Garcetti, Krekorian ensured that city resources were generously allocated to the Armenian community’s March for Justice in commemoration of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide which turned out 166,000 peaceful protesters who marched six miles within the city toward the Turkish consulate.

In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” His words offer a call to action for those who would remain silent while witnessing the suffering of their fellow man.

Council President Paul Krekorian’s career in public service has answered that call, amplifying the voices of the Armenian American community, showcasing that injustices committed against Armenia and the Armenians of Artsakh are in fact a threat to justice prevailing in the United States of America and around the world. He has dedicated himself to magnifying the most sacred connection between our local Armenian community and the people of Armenia and Artsakh, as the way forward depends on shared policies of action, for the sake of justice and peace.

For more information about L.A. City Council President Paul Krekorian’s many contributions to the Armenian-American community as well as the people of Southern California and Armenia, and to purchase tickets for the 2023 ANCA-Western Region Awards Banquet, please click here.

A portion of the proceeds from this year’s gala will be donated to support Artsakh Genocide survivors.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the largest and most influential nonpartisan Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues in pursuit of the Armenian Cause.

Katy Simonian is a member of the 2023 ANCA-Western Region Awards Banquet/Gala Committee.