Assemblymember David Tangipa (AD08), Co-Chair of the California Armenian Caucus, on March 28 met with a group of Armenian-American community members in Fresno, CA. The crowd, consisting of a few dozen local Armenians, shared their concerns with the Assemblymember and encouraged him to advocate on behalf of the Armenian-American community.
The meeting took place in Downtown Fresno, at the Pacific Southwest Building. The owner of the building, Sevak Khatchadourian, was also in attendance.
“October 7, 2023 was a tragic day. 1,200 people were killed in Israel, the entire world halted,” Khatchadourian said during the conversation. “A couple of weeks prior to that many Armenians were killed and approximately 120,000 Armenians were displaced from their home in Artsakh and the world was unconcerned.”
Others echoed Khatchadourian’s sentiments and requested that the Assemblymember work with the Armenian Caucus to ensure the release of POWs from Artsakh, and asked that he work on divestment of California funds from Azerbaijan. Asm. Tangipa, who had Armenian-American friends in college, vowed to work with the Caucus and his constituents to ensure the Armenian-American community’s voice is heard.
“I appreciated the opportunity to meet with leaders in the Armenian Community of Central California. The Armenian community has historically and continues to be a strong, successful, and significant part of our regional heritage in the Central Valley,” Tangipa said.
“As Vice Chairman of the Legislative Armenian Caucus, I am dedicated to advancing Armenian issues and advocating for the Armenian community in California and around the world. In pursuit of that goal, I look forward to working with members of the Armenian community such as those who I had the opportunity to gather with on Friday,” he added.
The Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Fresno, Berj Apkarian, was at the meeting, as well.
“We are fortunate to have Assemblyman Tangipa representing the region and being co-chair of the Armenian Caucus. Looking forward to his leadership to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the State of California and the Republic of Armenia,” Apkarian said.
