SAN FRANCISCO–The Bay Area Armenian National Committee last Friday hosted a town hall meeting with ANC Western Region Executive Director Antranig Kzirian at San Francisco’s Saroyan Hall in The Khatchadourian Armenian Center.
During the briefing, activists learned the latest news regarding legislation in Congress from H. Res. 106 / S. Res. 106 (the Armenian Genocide Resolutions), appropriations and foreign assistance in the Caucasus region, the recent controversy at the Institute for Turkish Studies at Georgetown, insight on how electoral politics could play out for the community, ending the Turkish blockade of Armenia and the status of Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch as the potentially the next US Ambassador to Armenia.
Additionally, representatives from the Sonoma State Holocaust and Genocide Memorial Grove Project offered information on their work in commemorating victims of all genocides through a sculpture that is set to be completed later this year.
Having prioritized community outreach as a major objective in advancing the Armenian Cause, the Armenian National Committee’sWestern Region (ANC-WR) has been meeting with grassroots activists throughout the year. In the form of town hall meetings, the ANC-WR participates in intimate forums offering perspective and analysis on current developmen’s related to Armenian-American issues.
"As Speaker Tip O’Neill wisely stated–all politics is local," remarked ANC-WR Executive Director Antranig Kzirian. "Working with local activists represents the backbone of the Armenian Cause’s-and we must continue to reach out to Armenian Americans from all over the country in raising awareness about genocide recognition, protecting Nagorno-Karabakh and ensuring the survival of Armenia," he added.
"Antranig provided a very instructive and interesting update on the issues pending before Congress that directly affect our community," said Bay Area ANC Chairperson Roxanne Makasdjian. "His presentation and discussion with the attendees made us even more motivated to participate in the grass-roots activism that helps shape a more just and productive US policy towards Armenia," she added.
Working with the Bay Area’s sizable Armenian American community, the local ANC has coordinated numerous meetings with key Congressional leaders from Northern California. Through an office in San Francisco, the Bay Area ANC maintains close working relationships with Members of Congress such as Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Anna Eshoo, George Miller, newly elected Armenian American Jackie Speier and various others.
"With the excitement of the Presidential election energizing the community, Armenian Americans must seize the moment to learn about the many issues affecting their lives as Armenia’s living in the United States," remarked Kzirian. "As we head into a new Congress and a new Presidential administration, there has never been a better opportunity for activists to learn more about Hai Tahd and contribute to the Armenian Cause," he added.
The ANC of San Francisco advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the area’s Armenian American community and promotes increased Armenian American civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.
