Senator Pérez issues statement on troubling events on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
SACRAMENTO – Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) issued the following statement on troubling events that occurred on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day:
“I had the honor of joining the Armenian Community today as we commemorated the 110th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. As a nation, we have come a long way in recognizing and properly identifying this dark chapter in history. This includes resolutions by both houses of Congress in 2019 and a statement by the White House in 2021 recognizing the systematic annihilation of 1.5 million innocent Armenians as a Genocide.
“I am deeply troubled that we are retreating from our commitment to honor and remember this global tragedy. Today, President Donald Trump refused to use the word “Genocide” in the statement issued by the White House. This deliberate omission is a painful insult to millions of Armenian Americans and Armenians around the world. I want to make clear that here in California our commitment to recognizing the Armenian Genocide is unwavering, regardless of the direction of the President’s Administration. We will never bow to the demands of the Turkish government to erase history and we will always stand by the truth.
“Even here in California on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, students at UC Berkeley were denied the opportunity to commemorate the anniversary with a public screening of the documentary, “My Sweet Land” at the Human Rights Center at UC Berkeley School of Law.
“The university abruptly canceled the event and rescheduled it for the next school year over vague and undisclosed safety concerns involving possible protests. The Armenian American community deserves a better explanation including who mentioned protests and why the campus police could not ensure the safety of the participants.
“Further, I am deeply concerned by reports from the Armenian Students’ Association at UC Berkeley that the Berkeley Human Rights Center postponed this showing after pressure was exerted by the government of Azerbaijan.
“I fully understand and share the feelings of the students who believe UC Berkeley has failed to protect their rights.
“As the Chair of the California State Senate Education Committee, I believe institutions of higher education, especially ones like UC Berkeley that have a deep history of balancing free speech and student safety, should take a hard look at this incident and the pain they knowingly caused. I expect transparency from UC Berkeley and will be reaching out for a full explanation.”
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Senator Sasha Renée Pérez is the Chair of the Senate Education Committee and represents the 25th Senate District that includes the communities of Glendale, Pasadena, Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Claremont, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Temple City, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, and San Antonio Heights. Senator Pérez is a member of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation.