Last week, Assemblyman Chris Holden’s resolution, AJR 1, which condemns Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh, passed in the California State Senate, 39-0.
The bill has passed both houses of the California Legislature with bipartisan support. The resolution calls on President Joe Biden’s administration to work to immediately facilitate the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance by way of airlift to Armenians in Artsakh.
“This resolution reaffirms California’s solidarity with Armenia and our 200,000 strong community of California Armenians,” Holden said. “There is power in our solidarity and there is even more when we acknowledge the wrongs committed and urge for justice. We set precedent for the future with our action or inaction and today, we are creating long-lasting ties toward a better tomorrow.”
Aida Dimejian, board member of the Armenian National Committee of America, spoke in favor of the bill.
“Armenians in Artsakh are facing extermination by the Azerbaijani government with their illegal blockade,” Dimejian said. “Mr. Holden and his colleagues in the California Legislature have stood up for humanity by condemning Azerbaijan’s barbaric acts. The Armenian American community is thankful for this resolution calling on the Azeri government to end its illegal blockade and to hold Azerbaijani government accountable for its relentless aggression against the innocent men, women and children of Artsakh.”
Today, there are nearly 3 million Armenians living in the Republic of Armenia, which consists of a portion of the Armenians’ historic homelands. The United States has the second largest diaspora of Armenians. California has the largest population of Armenians in the country.
First published in the July 22 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
