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It’s like a shock, but it’s obvious, it’s a #genocide today, and the question is not to debate the genocide but to prevent the killings in Nagorno Karabakh. (First Prosecutor of Intl. Criminal Court – Luis Moreno Ocampo) #ArtsakhBlockade #AzerbaijanIsATerroristState
Bob Menendez։ Azerbaijan’s Blockade of Artsakh has Hallmark of Genocide
Unreal. I’ve never witnessed anything like this. Yuri Kim, a State Department official, says she can’t publicly answer why Azerbaijan’s dictator has kept the Lachin corridor closed — meaning she knows his plans are to starve Artsakh into coercion.
A deeply troubling non-answer that speaks to direct U.S. intelligence on Azerbaijan’s genocidal plans to ethnically cleanse #Artsakh.
Around 20 organizations are emerging in the western United States under the banner of the Pan-Armenian movement. However, there has been a notable absence of any condemnation regarding Nikol Pashinyan’s acknowledgment of Artsakh as a part of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles.
Pan-Armenian silence equals complicity. Despite the convergence of 20 organizations under the banner of Pan-Armenian unity, their collective failure to denounce a wrongdoer who acknowledges Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan renders the coalition toothless and devoid of significance. This situation raises the possibility that the wrongdoer has significantly penetrated the organization.
Around 20 organizations are emerging in the western United States under the banner of the Pan-Armenian movement. However, there has been a notable absence of any condemnation regarding Nikol Pashinyan’s acknowledgment of Artsakh as a part of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles.
I understand that convincing some members of the Armenian community about the potential influence of Turkey on Pashinyan might pose a challenge, but this is a belief I firmly maintain. Turkey’s history of engaging individuals like Morsi from Egypt for recruitment bears resemblance to the typical populist revolutions akin to the Armenian revolution. It’s worth noting, however, that the Egyptian military astutely responded by comprehending the situation, ultimately leading to a successful counter-revolution and the ousting of Morsi from power.
Based on the information I’ve gathered from the 44-day war, I am resolute in my belief that it was orchestrated to end in failure. Nonetheless, delving deeper into this requires more comprehensive analysis and thorough debate.
Nikol Pashinyan in favor of a pro-Turk stance, along with his street activist cohorts dating back to 2008, have been consistently exposed to a narrative asserting that Artsakh constitutes a “hindrance.” This narrative suggests that by relinquishing the regions claimed by Azerbaijan on the basis of territorial integrity, the region could then experience a state of “tranquility and flourishing.”
However, it becomes evident that the actual intentions of Azerbaijan and Turkey were centered around the eradication of an independent Armenia.
A country called #Azerbaijan :
In this contemporary dictatorship, the husband holds the position of President while his wife assumes the role of Vice President. In this environment, money laundering has become an integral part of existence, causing ordinary people to suffer from starvation. Daily, acts of crime against humanity are perpetrated without hesitation. Over the course of 250 days, the lives of 120,000 Armenians from #Artsakh have been trapped under a relentless siege, devoid of basic necessities such as food and medical supplies, leading to the absence of any semblance of normalcy in their daily lives.
Wally Sarkeesian: My Life, My Journey, and My Heritage: Crafted Over Six Decades
“The Mindset of Reverse Engineering: Unveiling Life’s Path.”
Every individual, regardless of their circumstances, has a unique and valuable story to share, no matter how big or small.
Throughout my six-decade existence, I have embarked on a remarkable life journey that spans five countries across three continents. Along the way, I ventured into the realm of technology entrepreneurship, establishing various businesses. Now, at this stage of my life, I deeply appreciate the opportunity to introspect upon the multitude of challenges, triumphs, and the overall path I have traversed.
Read More: https://gagrule.net/wally-sarkeesian-my-life-my-journey…/
While there are little to no updates related to Armenian POWs being held captive in Baku for over 1,000 days, the Armenian government has been quietly filling up its own prisons by cracking down on any form of political opposition. Today, there are more than a dozen political prisoners from opposition parties being held on frivolous charges and accusations, more than the previous two administrations combined. Earlier this year, both Google and Apple issued warnings that the Armenian government is actively using Israeli phone hacking software “Pegasus” to spy on political figures in the country.
Armenia’s disengagement from Russia and Entanglement with Turkey resulted in Escalating Numbers of Political Detainees. Armenia Adopts Aspects of Turkey’s Political System, Leading to the Establishment of a Controversial Law Enforcement System Resembling Turkey’s.
Armenians unite in Kornidzor, Syunik Province, in a resounding call for solidarity with Artsakh. Organized by the Volunteer Movement NGO, this powerful protest near the Hakari Bridge in the Berdzor Corridor aims to challenge the oppressive blockade imposed by Azerbaijan.
Thousands of protestors traveled to Kornidzor and then marched toward the Berdzor Corridor. Marching in unison, Artsakh Armenians join the rally, commencing their journey from the Stepanakert Military Pantheon towards the Zarin Bagh section of the vital road connecting Artsakh to Armenia. During the rally, the participants conveyed several key messages.
They emphasized Armenia’s belief in its ability to overcome challenges and achieve progress. Additionally, they issued a warning to Azerbaijan, highlighting the potentially severe consequences of its aggressive actions. The protestors strongly opposed any measures that infringed upon Artsakh’s freedom and right to self-determination. They emphasized that safeguarding Artsakh’s sovereignty is a shared responsibility between Armenia and Artsakh.
Furthermore, they stressed that the Armenian Government should not question referendums or the Armenian Constitution. They firmly rejected any agreements that lacked direct participation from the people. The protestors emphasized that lasting peace could only be achieved through justice and the liberation of occupied territories. They reiterated their preparedness to defend their homeland, as expressed by the organizers of the protest.
Live Video Coverage by Gagrule.net (Wally Sarkeesian)
(Glendale, California) On March 25, 2023, a sold-out crowd of nearly 250 honored guests, dignitaries, and community members gathered for the 6th Annual Armenian National Committee of America Western Region (ANCA Western Region) Education Committee’s Armenian Genocide Education Awards Luncheon at Legacy Ballroom in Glendale, California. Since 2016, the Luncheon has honored dozens of local and national educators who have gone above and beyond in teaching about the Armenian Genocide within their school’s arts, language, social studies, and theater curriculum.
“The work of the ANCA Western Region’s Education Committee is a stellar example of the vital grassroots mission we prioritize every day,” stated ANCA-Western Region Board Chair Nora Hovsepian, Esq. “Our Education Committee members, all educators themselves, fully understand the important role that teachers play in shaping the minds of young generations, teaching them about truth and justice, and learning the lessons of history to avoid tragic outcomes in the future. The Genocide Education Awards Luncheon serves to recognize and highlight teachers who set an example for their peers by finding innovative ways to impart age-appropriate lessons about the Armenian Genocide to their students. As the congressional resolutions in 2019 officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide specifically highlighted, encouraging education and public understanding about this pivotal chapter of history is relevant to preventing modern-day crimes against humanity.”
This year, the event kicked off with the performance of the United States and Armenian national anthems by Granada Hills Charter School student, Tatevik Apoyan.
ANCA Western Region Education Committee Luncheon Chair, Taline Arsenian, introduced Araksya Karapetyan, Emmy-award winning FOX 11 news anchor, a beloved and influential voice for our community who graciously served as the Master of Ceremonies for the event and kicked off the afternoon with a heartfelt welcome address. “By teaching students the importance of recognizing the consequences of hate, dehumanization, and violence, educators make a difference in the lives of children with the hope that they become warriors of justice to lead enduring change,” said Karapetyan. The welcome address was followed by a recognition of past years’ honorees by ANCA Western Region Education Committee Member Medea Kalognomos.
The event welcomed dignitaries and officials serving Southern California, including Burbank City Mayor Konstantine Anthony, Glendale City Mayor Ardashes Kassakhian, Glendale City Councilmember Dan Brotman, Glendale City Clerk Dr. Suzie Abajian, Los Angeles City Councilmember for the 13th district Hugo Soto-Martinez, Pasadena City Vice-Mayor Felicia Williams, Burbank Unified School District Board Member Dr. Armond Aghakhanian, Glendale Community College District Board President Dr. Sevan Benlian, Glendale Community College Board Clerk Desiree Portillo-Rabinov, Glendale Community College District Board Members Dr. Armine Hacopian and Yvette Vartanian-Davis, Glendale Community College Superintendent/President Dr. Ryan Cornner, Los Angeles Community College Chancellor Dr. Francisco C. Rodriguez, Glendale Unified School District Board Member Jennifer Freemon, Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education Vice President Scott Schmerelson, Burbank Teachers Association President Diana Abasta, Glendale Teachers Association Vice-President Emily Rogers, and representatives of the offices of California State Senator Anthony Portantino, Los Angeles County Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Hilda Solis and Los Angeles Unified School District Board Member Rocio Rivas. Officials from California State University, Northridge, were also in attendance, including Dean of the College of Humanities Dr. Jeffrey Reeder, Chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literature Dr. Adrian Perez-Boluda, Director of Development of the College of Humanities Suren Seropian, Assistant Director of Government and Community Relations Victoria Dochoghlian, and Director of Armenian Studies Dr. Vahram Shemmassian. Prominent professors of higher education in the audience also included Dr. Rubina Peroomian, Dr. Levon Marashlian and Dr. Hasmig Baran.
In addition, certificates of recognition were issued to each honoree by the offices of State Senator Anthony Portantino, State Assemblymember Laura Friedman, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, President of the City Council of Los Angeles Paul Krekorian, Glendale City Mayor Ardashes Kassakhian, and Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education Vice President Scott Shmerelson
ANCA-Western Region Board Member Anahid Oshagan, Esq., who serves as Board Liaison to the Education Committee, delivered the organizational message for the event, highlighting the importance of understanding that the century-long failure to hold Turkey accountable as perpetrator of the Armenian Genocide has directly led to the continuation of genocidal intent by both Turkey and Azerbaijan against the Armenian People more than a century later. The modern-day aggression by Turkey and Azerbaijan against Armenia and Artsakh and the ongoing inhumane Azeri blockade since December 12, 2022 of the Lachin Corridor whereby 120,000 innocent Armenian civilians in Artsakh have been cut off from the rest of the world, are present manifestations of their intent to annihilate the Armenian Nation and remove Armenians from their ancestral homeland with impunity. “The genocide and attempted annihilation continues, we must and we will soldier on by continuing to educate the world and recognize the outstanding educators who go above their call of duty to ensure the dark chapter of this history is taught and not forgotten, to ensure that justice prevails,” said Oshagan.
To highlight an opportunity for educators to participate in hands-on training for Armenian Genocide education, a video clip was shown from the Armenian Genocide Project’s GenEd Fellowship Program: a two phase program in partnership with the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute in Yerevan which allows secondary school social studies and English teachers to visit Armenia for workshops and cultural field trips to then develop curriculum and teach and share with other educators what they have learned about the Armenian Genocide and its repercussions. Mr. Manuel Lopez, one of the honorees for the Armenian Genocide Education award was a Teacher Fellow who now teaches about the Armenian Genocide to his students at Alisal High School in Salinas, California, described his experience: “Those ten days in Armenia completely transformed who I am as an educator. Knowing I was in the classroom for 20 years and never doing as much as I could have done to bring this important episode to light embarasses me. I have already seen dividends at my school and community since I have trained several teachers about what I have learned in Armenia,” said Mr. Lopez.
ANCA Western Regional Education Committee Member Lucy Martirosyan introduced sponsors of the event and thanked them for their contributions, after which Education Committee Members Katia Karageuzian and Arpi Krikorian introduced significant Armenian figures who were arrested, displaced, or murdered by perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide and whose images are featured on the honorees’ certificates as a tribute to their legacy.
Araksya Karapetyan presented the Armenian Genocide Education Award, awarded to educators teaching in K through 12, who have gone above and beyond to educate their students about the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian Genocide Education Awards were presented to four educators who spoke about their Armenian Genocide teachings in their acceptance speeches. Violet De Luna of Toll Middle School (GUSD) accepted her award by saying, “Having these conversations (in classrooms) about genocide helps the students to have a strength in their voices as they express their views on the crimes of genocide, human rights, and social justice.” Celeste Lau of Valley View Elementary School (GUSD) shared her investment into future generations, “Our students are the future, and we must make every effort to create peace and connection among them. And this is what I teach.” Ana Quintanilla of Mountain View Elementary (LAUSD) talked about her teaching goals saying, “I am so honored to work with such an amazing community, and my goal is going to continue to be to empower my Armenian students and the rest of my students.” Manuel Lopez of Alisal High School (Salinas Union High School District) said, “In the time that I still have as an educator, I will do my very best to work with my colleagues, community, and other people who want to learn about the Armenian Genocide.”
Following the first round of awardees, Karapetyan presented the Zaruhy “Sara” Chitjian Armenian Heritage Award, named after educator Sara Chitjian, who dedicated her life to public school education and spent nearly 40 years teaching for the LAUSD and creating curriculum officially formalizing courses in Armenian history and culture. The Zaruhy “Sara” Chitjian Armenian Heritage Awards were presented to three deserving honorees: Anita Kazaryan of Burbank High School (BUSD), accepted the award saying, “I believe that it’s important to educate future generations about the dangers of hatred and discrimination and the importance of standing up against it so that future atrocities never happen again.” Talar Keoseyan of Sunland Elementary School (LAUSD) shared her responsibility as a teacher saying, “In today’s world of intolerance, an educator must teach compassion and empathy. We have an obligation and a duty to ensure the Armenian Genocide and atrocities like that never happen again.” Taline Satamian of Benjamin Franklin Elementary School (GUSD) expressed her gratitude for the award and said powerfully, “As an educator, my approach to a violence-free world is celebrating diversity, giving voices to silenced communities, instilling respect and tolerance for difference, and encouraging critical thinking. This kind of education can undercut hatred and racism, which are the drivers for mass violence.”
The Ambassador Henry Morgenthau Sr. Courage Award, presented to individuals who embody strength, courage and determination, was presented by Araksya Karapetyan to her friend and FOX 11 colleague, Christina Pascucci. In September 2022, Pascucci reported on the devastating consequences of war in towns where Armenian men, women, and children had their homes destroyed by shelling from Azerbaijani forces, and delivered those untold stories of devastation to American audiences, providing an educational connection for current day genocidal events. “Courage is what led me to reporting on the blockade that is happening in the Republic of Artsakh that has now passed 100 days, but it wasn’t my courage, it was the courage of the Armenian people … and it was the courage of Dr. Grigorian, my high school Spanish, teacher who was so brave to talk about the Armenian Genocide.”
Presenting the Richard G. Hovannissian Armenian Genocide Higher Education Award to Dr. Khatchig Mouradian was ANCA-WR Education Committee Secretary Laura Gaboudian. While Dr. Hovannisian, a renowned scholar and premier historian on the Armenian Genocide, was unable to attend the event in person, he sent a heartfelt message which was read to the audience in which he congratulated the organizers and honorees and stressed the importance of Armenian Genocide education. “I am gratified that there are those who refused to lose their purposeful spirit and commitment and have had the willpower to reorganize and go forward. The recognition of educators who have continued to enlighten and advocate during these trying times is most commendable,” wrote Hovannissian. In accepting this prestigious award, Dr. Khatchig Mouradian shared a realization he had while writing his book, The Resistance Network, “As I learned more about that region, as I learned more about the way Armenians organized in that region, those survivors who were in terrible conditions when they were arriving in Syria, the way way they formed this underground resistance network, trying to save as many lives as possible, it essentially transformed this book which I was imagining to be extremely dark into a book that was dark, but also highlighted and emphasized the agency of Armenians, their ability to fight back and push back.” Mouradian emphasized the need to keep pushing and being hopeful saying, “More than a hundred years after the Armenian Genocide, today with the war on Armenia and Artsakh, and its aftermath, and the horrors that are being committed on a daily basis, it is important to think about one critical element … we do not see a path forward but in times like this, I want more than anything else to share that as a historian … knowing so well what the Armenian people went through and pushed against with their resilience and resistance, the best thing we can do to ourselves, our community, and our nation, is to think that if they could do it back then, we can do it today.”
The Armenian Genocide Education Legacy Award was presented by ANCA Western Region Education Committee Vice-Chair Sedda Antekelian to Dr. Stephan Astourian, a prominent historian and educator who recently retired after more than two decades as founder and director of the Armenian Studies Program and Associate Adjunct Professor of History at the University of California, Berkeley. The Award is presented to educators who have dedicated a lifetime of efforts aimed toward educating and providing resources for their students and other educators about the Armenian Genocide and its lasting legacy for humanity. Dr. Astourian highlighted the everlasting effects, or rather unending quality of the Armenian Genocide saying, “All things have a beginning, but do all things have an end? For instance, the Armenian Genocide. I leave you with this question during a time when genocide denial is still flourishing in Turkey and genocidal rhetoric is proliferating in Azerbaijan: a country where criminals and war crimes are extolled, and kids are brainwashed in schools hating Armenians.”
At the conclusion of the luncheon, ANCA Western Region Education Committee Chair Alice Petrossian gave closing remarks, thanking Araksya Karapetyan for her continued support of the Education Committee and the Armenian Cause and encouraging the honorees to continue their efforts to educate about the Armenian Genocide, highlighting that as the Armenian Nation is once again facing an existential threat in Armenia and Artsakh as Azerbaijan’s aggression and war rhetoric continue, each of us has a role to play to amplify our message and educate others about our plight in order to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Announcing the ANCA Western Region Education Committee’s next great endeavor, Committee Member Zarik Hacopian stated, “Now we are moving forward to lead a most critical program in partnership with Rooted and Rerouted to document the Baku Pogroms in a formal manner. It is critical to further have evidence that the Genocide has never stopped and continues today. We are passionate about this project and today your support means we can grow this project and help provide our students with first person accounts of the Baku Tragedies. While evil dictators revise history, we will document and preserve history.”
The Armenian National Committee of America- Western Region (ANCA-WR) is a grassroots public affairs organization devoted to advancing issues of concern to the Armenian American community. For nearly a century, the ANCA-WR has served to educate, motivate and activate the Armenian American community in the Western United States on a wide range of issues.—
By Wally Sarkeesian, Founder of Gagrule.net full coverage of the event
Los Angeles: The signature event of the year Armenian American Museum Gala welcomed a capacity audience of donors, supporters, public officials,
Major Sponsors included Rima & Donnell Cameron, Armen & Gloria Hampar Family Foundation, Avadis & Nancy Tevanian, Jack & Zarig Youredjian, Ayvazian Family Foundation, The GASKA Alliance Foundation, Anonymous, Dr. Vicken & Sossy Aharonian, Ron & Kourtni Arakelian, Bank of America, Gregory & Gina Felikian,
Steve & Sandi Hampar, Nabil & Hanan Karabetian, Berdj & Mary Karapetian, Matthew & Audrey Matoesian, William McMorrow, Nora Tertzag Hampar Charitable Trust Ara & Nina Ohanian, Sarkis & Nune Sepetjian, and Isaac & Frieda Vartanian.
Senator Anthony J. Portantino delivered remarks on behalf of the State of California, which has invested $19.6 million to support the historic project including a new $9.8 million grant in the 2022-2023 State Budget that was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Executive Director Shant Sahakian celebrated the Groundbreaking Campaign that helped the museum reach the historic groundbreaking of the cultural and educational center in the Summer of 2021 and successfully complete the first phase of construction featuring the museum parking garage and building a foundation in November 2022. He announced the launch of the Elevate Campaign to set sights on the next major milestone of the project as the landmark center is elevated to the horizon as a destination for education, enrichment, and inspiration for generations to come.
Master of Ceremonies Kev Orkian delivered a powerful musical performance on the piano with a self-written piece called “Freedom.”
During the last thirty years while Azerbaijan and Turkiye systematically planned their invasion of Artsakh and genocidal campaign against the Armenians, they also unleashed an information war just as dangerous as the drones, missiles, and mercenaries on the battlefield.
As part of the Azerbaijan Laundromat, a complex money-laundering operation and slush fund that handled $2.9 billion over a two-year period through four shell companies registered in the UK, Aliyev’s agents used the secrete slush fund to pay off European politicians, journalists, academics, and other stakeholders.
TruthAndAccountabilityLeague.org
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan ramped up its public relations campaign with Caviar Diplomacy, employing not one but six of K Street’s heavy-hitting firms, including the Livingston Group, Stellar Jay Communications, BGR, The Podesta Group, and DLA Piper. In just one year, the country spent $1.3 million on lobbying. While some of these firms have since distanced themselves from Azerbaijan, the damage has been done.
In an article in ‘Medium,’ journalist Casey Michel wrote that in the past two years there have seen a flurry of analyses on Azerbaijan’s moves to whitewash its dictatorial image for American audiences. Slathered in hydrocarbon profits, the autocratic government of Ilham Aliyev has unleashed spin-doctors, duped reporters, and led one of the most brazen pushes to abuse American lobbying loopholes of any foreign government.
Elkhan Suleymanov, an Azerbaijani parliamentarian who Italian prosecutors say is responsible for implementing an aggressive plan to improve the country’s image, is the nation’s de facto publicist-general.
The primary phenomenon that has seen certain, cursory coverage, deals with lobbyists on Azerbaijan’s dole penning op-eds on Baku’s greatness — on its stability, on its secularism, on its propensity to provide energy security to a West scouring for non-Russian fuel sources. To be sure, there is, on its face, nothing of necessity wrong with lobbyists pushing op-eds. This remains their prerogative, so long as they can find an acquiescent editor.
However, those lobbying on Azerbaijan’s behalf — and those with ties to Baku’s state energy firm, SOCAR — have built up an impressive track record not simply for pushing their essays on Azerbaijan’s appeal. Rather, they’ve done so without any requisite reveal of their ties to Azerbaijan. Instead of disclosing their financial interests in enhancing Azerbaijan’s reputation, they’ve misled editors and readers alike, posing as disinterested observers instead of those paid to whitewash a country whose civil rights record places it at the bottom of the list of nations.
With unlimited resources, Azerbaijan’s agents set out to distort facts about Artsakh and Armenia, revise history, and launder their authoritarian regime’s reputation. Azerbaijan’s cyber war on Armenians continues with a campaign of hate, dehumanization, and violence on Armenians. And the effects are very obvious everywhere you look.
TAAL FIGHTS THE INFORMATION WAR FOR ARMENIANS
Following the 2020 invasion of Artsakh, journalist, radio host, and documentary filmmaker, Vic Gerami, founded the Truth And Accountability League (TAAL). TAAL is a 501©3 non-profit advocacy organization that monitors and confronts bias, disinformation, propaganda, and defamation of the Armenian people and culture at the level of media, including social media, academics, intelligentsia, and public policy. Gerami modeled and structured the organization after the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the LGBTQ+ Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), and The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
TALL had big wins from the beginning. A week after Artsakh invasion on September 27, 2020, Gerami and his colleague Nicole Muj produced the celebrity public service announcement (PSA), ‘I Stand with Artsakh & Armenia,’ with Kim Kardashian, Serj Tankian, Congressman Adam Schiff, Ed Begley Jr., Sally Kirkland, Lawrence Zarian, Andrea Martin, and several other stars.
Next, Gerami petitioned the City of West Hollywood and Mayor Pro Tempore Sepi Shyne to sponsor a resolution for WeHo to recognize the Independent Republic of Artsakh. The resolution passed unanimously on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Next, he petitioned the City of Burbank to create a resolution to formally recognize the independent Republic of Artsakh. The resolution passed unanimously on March 2, 2021.
Gerami sent his multi-award-winning documentary film, ‘Motherland,’ to all the members of the US Senate and the House of Representatives, members of the British House of Lords and House of Commons, members of the European Union and the Council of Europe. The documentary is an ‘Official Selection’ in (76) film festivals, has won (38) awards, was shortlisted for Film Independent’s ‘Spirit Awards,’ and Oscar-qualified and available in The Academy’s ‘Screening Room.’
‘Motherland’ is an investigative documentary feature film that he wrote, produced, and directed, and was also made under the auspices of TAAL. It’s about Azerbaijan’s, Turkey’s unprovoked genocidal attack on Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in 2020, the massacre of 5,000+ people, and the two nations’ ongoing campaign of hate violence, and disinformation against the indigenous Armenians.
Gerami interviewed and featured seven (7) leading members of Congress, including Congressman Adam Schiff (D–CA), Sen. Bob Mendez (D–NJ), Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA), Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA), Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Baroness Caroline Cox, Life Peer Member of the British House of Lords.
TAAL has taken confronted many Azerbaijani offensive actions such as working with the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP), and Transport for London (TFL) to have Azerbaijan’s propaganda posters removed from London subway stations in March 2021.
To address Azerbaijan’s comprehensive assaults on everything Armenian, the group has collaborated with the Pan-Armenian National Emergency Committee to organize demonstrations in front of the Azerbaijani Consulate General in Los Angeles and secure media coverage and the American Armenian National Security Institute on their projects.
Making sure to involve mainstream organizations, TAAL’s has partnered with Lindsay Carlson, president of the Heart of LA Democratic Club, and Jon Katz, president of the Santa Monica Democratic Club, to issue statements supporting Artsakh and the Armenian community. They recently worked with the West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne to release a statement about the anti-Armenian flyers posted in the City of Beverly Hills and neighboring areas. Mayor Shyne also passed a resolution reaffirming the City’s support for the people of Artsakh and the imposition of sanctions and consequences against Azerbaijan on January 23, 2023.
On January 25, the City of Irvine, with the invitation of Vice Mayor Tammy Kim, CA, screened Gerami’s film, ‘Motherland,’ followed by a panel discussion. As a result of the screening, the City Council passed a resolution unanimously to build an Armenian Genocide Memorial in Irvine’s Grand Park.
Anti-Armenian hate crimes, defamation, and Armenophobia are at an all-time high, including in the greater Los Angeles area. But despite working around the clock, and the overwhelming demand to confront Azerbaijan’s aggression, TAAL has had success stories. Just last month, anti-Armenian flyers calling for genocide were posted all over Beverly Hills. Due to Beverly Hills Mayor Lili Bosse’s lackluster and dismissive response, TALL got involved and with strong advocacy, the Mayor agreed to meet with the Mayor of Glendale, Ardy Kassakhian.
TAAL and other organizations were able to get New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art to revise information on artist Ivan Aivazovsky (Hovhannes Aivazian) to Reflect his Armenian Identity.
But there are countless ongoing challenges and initiates that the organization is busy addressing. They include New York’s Caviar Diplomacy beneficiary Mayor Eric Adams’ directive that no signs about Armenia or Artsakh can be brought to this year’s Armenian Genocide demonstration in Times Square. TAAL also monitors and re-edit Wikipedia listings that have been previously edited by Azerbaijan with disinformation and propaganda. They confront media organizations such as the BBC, CNN, and The New York Times for having ‘strategic partnerships’ with the Azerbaijani government whose objective is to whitewash and control the narrative with the media giants. Azerbaijani Consulate Generals approach local government and fund ‘Azerbaijan Day,’ when they commemorate the so-called Khojaly Genocide in the hands of the Armenians. They also employ full-time American, British, and European journalists to write propaganda articles and do paid placements in various publications. The most prevalent being Azerbaijan’s army of trolls on social media that promote disinformation, hate, and Armenophobia through fake accounts boosting the popularity of anti-Armenian hashtags.
In the last three years, Gerami has also been busy granting interview to various media outlets and publications regarding Armenia and Artsakh, including the Los Angeles Magazine, KUCI 88.9 FM ‘Ask A Leader,’ News of the World, Daily Kos, The Immigrant Magazine’s TV program, Bionic Buzz, The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, BEONDTV, Brave New Hollywood, and was featured in Keghart’s ‘Heroes and Villains 2022’ List.
Although a national news and politics program, Gerami has dedicated a great deal of his radio show, THE BLUNT POST with VIC (TBPV), on KPFK 90.7 FM (Pacifica Network) to topics related to the Armenians. His guests have included members of the Congress including the Congressional Armenian Caucus, other high-profile elected officials, and heads of organizations.
Gerami has interviewed many members of Congress and other high-profile elected officials and put them on record about Artsakh and Armenia. Some of them are Senator Bob Menendez, Congressman Adam Schiff (7.19.21) Congressman Adam Schiff (10.19.20), Congressman Adam Schiff (3.30.20), Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Congresswoman Katie Porter, Congressman Tony Cardenas, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congresswoman Karen Bass, Congressman Mark Takano, Congressman Jim Costa, Congressman Gil Cisneros, Congresswoman Norma Torres, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Congressman Raul Ruiz + Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, Congressman Alan Lowenthal, as well as Marianne Williamson.
To find out more about TAAL and to donate so they can continue to fight the information war for Armenians, please visit TruthAndAccountabilityLeague.org