Latest news with #anti-Armenian
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Events Across L.A. Mark 'Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day'
Schools in Glendale are closed today in observance of 'Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day' as events are planned across Los Angeles County to mark the mass murder of 1.5 million Armenians slaughtered in Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a proclamation making April 24 a holiday in 2022 and it was signed into law that same year. L.A. County libraries celebrated April as Armenian History Month and the Museum of Natural History has exhibits honoring the country's across the county will bring attention to the ongoing conflict that began five years ago when the neighboring nation of Azerbaijan launched a military assault on Artsakh, followed by a ten-month-long blockade of the Lachin Corridor, cutting off over 120,000 Armenians from food, medicine, and critical supplies. Armenians continue to be persecuted as atrocities run rampant in the region as the world remains largely silent about the war crimes being routinely committed by Azerbaijan's military regime. Less than two years ago, in September 2023, over 100,000 Armenians were forcibly displaced from their ancestral lands. Religious sites have been desecrated and systematically destroyed and political prisoners have been abused. There will be events across L.A. county to mark the day - and the continuing struggle - on Thursday through the weekend. On Thursday afternoon there will be a protest outside the Turkish consulate in Beverly Hills, where hateful flyers containing anti-Armenian propaganda was posted on street signs in recent years. On Thursday evening there will be a "Demand for Justice' community rally on Parcher Plaza at Glendale City Hall. On Saturday, Armenians from all over L.A. County will gather at Grand Park for a hike with the motto: "They tried to bury us, they didn't know we were seeds.'Last year New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on charges that he, among other crimes, took bribes from Turkish officials to ignore Armenian Genocide Day in the city. After he was sworn into office a Turkish official "repeatedly" demanded Adams ignore the Armenian Genocide and bypass any statements of condolences to its victims in deference to that country's continued denials of the atrocities that began in 1915 when the Ottoman Empire began a targeted decimation of its civilian Armenian population. The systematic killings continued until 1923 when the Ottoman Empire ceased to exist and was replaced by the Republic of Turkey.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Maine's first Office of New Americans director steps down after 3 months
Apr. 2—The first director of Maine's Office of New Americans is stepping down after a group representing Armenian immigrants criticized some of his past actions as biased and wrote to the governor calling for his resignation. Tarlan Ahmadov, who was named the first director of the Office of New Americans in December, submitted his resignation letter to the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future on Tuesday. The letter cites health reasons and did not mention the recent allegations from the Armenian Cultural Association of Maine. "After careful consideration and due to personal health reasons, I have decided to step down from my role as director of the Office of New Americans," his letter reads. "I wish the office well as it continues its important work." Ahmadov's resignation comes a little over a month after the Armenian association wrote to Gov. Janet Mills accusing him of a "long track record of anti-Armenian activism" and requesting his resignation. A spokesperson for the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future did not directly respond to a question about whether Ahmadov's resignation was related to the accusations, and he did not immediately respond to a request for an interview submitted through the office. "We respect his decision to resign and appreciate his service as Director of the Office of New Americans," office spokesperson Jackie Farwell said in an email. "An interim director will be appointed to continue leading the Office's important work to make Maine a home of opportunity for all and build a stronger economy." Ahmadov was appointed to lead the newly formed Office of New Americans as its first director in December. The office was created last year to better help immigrants integrate in Maine, including with English-language acquisition and workforce pathways, and through improved data collection and coordination of entities that support immigrants. In late February, the Armenian association wrote a letter to Mills saying Ahmadov had made past inflammatory statements on social media, such as labeling Armenia an "occupant and aggressor" and mocking the Armenian diaspora. Ahmadov is originally from Azerbaijan and emigrated to Maine years ago. The two former Soviet republics have fought on and off since the 1980s, including a recent conflict over disputed territory in the mountainous border between the two countries, though officials said last month that they had agreed to terms of a peace treaty. The Armenian association said that in December 2023, Ahmadov sent a letter to leadership at the University of Southern Maine falsely claiming that a panel discussion organized by the association was biased and misleading, and demanding changes to its format. And last year, the association said in its letter to Mills, Ahmadov facilitated a trip for several Maine lawmakers to Azerbaijan, where he "acted as a government agent" in arranging meetings with Azerbaijani officials and attended celebratory events in locations where Armenians were recently forced from their homes. Ahmadov previously clashed with Armenian Americans in Maine in 2021 after he was involved in requesting and drafting a proclamation for former Portland Mayor Kate Snyder to sign to acknowledge the 1992 killing of hundreds of Azeris by Armenian and Soviet forces. Some Armenian Americans criticized the proclamation, saying it was part of a propaganda campaign by Azerbaijan and its ally Turkey, after which Snyder apologized and then rescinded the proclamation. Gerard Kiladjian, president of the Armenian Cultural Association of Maine, said Tuesday the association had been in touch with the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future about the letter they sent in February and the office let them know Tuesday that Ahmadov would be resigning. "We're happy he resigned," Kiladjian said. "Whether it's for health reasons or because they put pressure on him, the important part for us is he's no longer in that position. With his actions and personality, he was the wrong person for the position. We hope the governor will find someone neutral who is welcoming to immigrants from all walks of life." Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less
