On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion officially recognizing April 24 as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, honoring the victims of the 1915–1916 atrocity and acknowledging ongoing threats to the Armenian community.
Honoring History and a Large Local Community
The Armenian Genocide occurred during the decline of the Ottoman Empire, when an estimated 1.2 million Armenians and other Christians were systematically killed or displaced. Today, Los Angeles County is home to the largest Armenian diaspora outside of Armenia, making the recognition particularly meaningful to local residents.
The motion, introduced by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Hilda Solis, also condemned the Turkish government’s continued denial of the genocide despite overwhelming historical evidence.
Ongoing Concerns About Human Rights
The motion went beyond historical recognition, citing recent allegations of ethnic cleansing. It referenced the 2020 military assault by Azerbaijan on the Artsakh region, followed by a ten-month blockade of the Lachin Corridor, which eventually led to the forced displacement of more than 100,000 Armenians in 2023.
Azerbaijan now claims full control over the region, which has been disputed since 1918. The Board of Supervisors reiterated its call for federal sanctions against Azerbaijan and the release of Armenian hostages.
A National and Local Commitment to Remembrance
In 2021, President Joe Biden formally recognized the Armenian Genocide, marking a major milestone for Armenian communities worldwide. The L.A. County motion called this a “historic victory,” but emphasized that recognition alone is not enough.
“We must remain vigilant in the face of ongoing threats to the Armenian people,” the motion states, “and reaffirm our commitment to preventing genocide, defending human rights, and ensuring that history is never rewritten or erased.”
Promoting Awareness and Education
The Board also directed the County CEO to promote public events and educational materials to raise awareness about the genocide and its ongoing relevance.
This recognition aims to foster a culture of remembrance, vigilance, and advocacy, ensuring that past atrocities are never forgotten—and never repeated.
