PRESS RELEASE
February 19, 2023
ANCA Burbank Commends Burbank City Council for Passing Resolution Condemning Azerbaijan’s Blockade of Artsakh and Anti-Armenian Sentiment Towards The Armenian American Community.
On Tuesday, February 14th during the Burbank City Council meeting, Sarkis Simonian, Chair of ANCA Burbank, and Antranik Jarchafjian, Chair of the Armenian Cultural Foundation Burbank chapter, spoke during the meeting and praised the city council for issuing the resolution condemning the Artsakh blockade and the hate flyer in Beverly Hills. The resolution was crafted as a combination of the drafts provided by ANCA Burbank and Burbank Armenian Association and covers the following points (the full text of the resolution is attached):
First, Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade since December 12, 2022, of the Lachin/Berdzor corridor Artsakh’s only remaining lifeline to Armenia and the world. Azerbaijan’s continued human rights abuses, including shutting off the gas supply used for heating by the population of Artsakh for days at a time during brutal winter temperatures
1. The City Council condemns Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade of the Lachin/Berdzor Corridor and demands the blockade be immediately lifted and stands in solidarity with the thousands of Burbank residents of Armenian heritage whose families, friends, and loved ones may be impacted by the violence in Artsakh.
2. The City Council condemns Azerbaijan’s contempt for rule of law, democracy, and human rights.
3. The City Council calls upon the United States Department of State to suspend military aid to Azerbaijan.
Second, regarding the incident on January 28th, 2023, where community members of the City of Beverly Hills found anti-Armenian flyers posted around the city and its vicinity, ahead of an Armenian Youth Federation march to protest Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh, which advocated for wiping out Armenians from the world.
1. The City Council acknowledges the millions of residents of Armenian heritage in the United States who have played a significant role in the development of our neighborhoods and the improvement of modern society.
2. The City Council celebrates the rich diversity of its community and recognizes the thousands of colleagues, employees, neighbors, and families of Armenian heritage.
3. The City Council stands in solidarity with its Armenian American community and their families and relatives in Armenia and Artsakh.
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The Armenian National Committee of America – Burbank advances the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the area’s Armenian community and promotes its increased civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.
