Friday, September 15 2023 12:04

ArmInfo. ANCA Eastern Region activists and allies from across the country met with more  than 50 members of Congress from both the House and Senate during  August Recess, sounding the alarm on the genocidal blockade of  Artsakh, which has gone on for more than 270 days. 

Each year, during August Recess, Senators and Representatives return  home to their respective states to visit with constituents in their  districts, attend various community functions and tend to matters of  their constituencies. Thus, the ANCA Eastern Region staff worked with  its activists in 31 states throughout the Region to ensure that they  were poised to present the plight of Artsakh in every conversation  with Congressional members and staffers - raising the salience of the  plight of Artsakh. 

Activists shined the spotlight on the continued waiver of Section  907, which allows for the continued armament of Azerbaijan - despite  the various human rights abuses by the Aliyev regime and the ongoing  blockade of the Lachin-Berdzor corridor, hindering the access of a  vital lifeline to the Republic of Artsakh. 

"Dedicated activists throughout the ANCA Eastern Region doubled down  on their efforts this August Recess - strengthening relationships  with offices and, most importantly, conveying the urgent need for the  United States government to take concrete steps to address the  unfolding genocide in Artsakh and hold Azerbaijan accountable. We  have no doubt that our continued advocacy on the Hill and within our  communities demonstrates to our compatriots in Artsakh that they are  not alone," said Nairi Diratsouian, ANCA Eastern Region Legislative  Affairs and Community Relations Director.

Several other priorities were also discussed during the meetings  including H.Res.108, which is sponsored by New Jersey Representative  Frank Pallone, Jr., and condemns Azerbaijan's blockade of Artsakh and  the ongoing human rights violations; H.Res.320, introduced by  California Representative Adam Schiff recognizes the independence of  the Republic of Artsakh and provides background information of the  Karabakh conflict and the reasons for independence; H.R.2803,  spearheaded by California Representative Anna Eshoo which aims to  secure $10 million dollars in funding to support Armenian Genocide  education programs through the "Armenian Genocide Education Act,"  and; S.1329, sponsored by New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, which  expands upon H.R.2803 and is the counterpart of the previous  legislation in the Senate.

Activists met with representatives from Florida, Illinois, Maine,  Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North  Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Carolina.  The  activists met with: Rep. Lahood (IL); Rep. Pingree (ME); Rep.  Sorensen (IL); Rep. Quigley (IL); Rep.  Foushee (NC); Rep.  Krishnamoorthi (IL); Rep. Casten (IL); Rep. Dan Bishop (NC); Rep.  Deborah Ross (NC); Senator Brown (OH); Rep. Kelly (IL); Senator  Duckworth (IL); Rep. Pingree (ME); Rep. McGovern (CM); Rep. Pappas  (NH); Rep. Trahan (MA); Rep. Rouzer (NC); Rep. Diaz-Balart (FL); Rep.  Kuster (NH); Senator Markey (MA); Rep. Schneider (MA); Senator King  (ME); Rep. Clarke (NY); Rep. Schakowsky (IL); Rep. Gottheimer (NJ);  Senator Shaheen (NH); Senator  Hassan (NH); Rep. Nadler (NY); Rep.   Ruppersberger (MD); Rep. Magaziner (RI); Rep. Sarbanes (MD); Rep.  Raskin (MD); Rep. Ivey (MD); Rep. Wasserman Schultz; Senator Scott  (FL); Rep. Keating (MA); Senator Hawley (MO); Senator Schmitt (MO);  Rep. Wagner (MO); Senator Whitehouse (RI); Senator Vance (OH); Rep.  Thanedar (MI); Rep.  Menendez (NJ); Rep. Moulton (MA); Senator  Fetterman (PA); Senator Rubio (FL); Rep. Pascrell (NJ); Rep. Tonko  (NY); Rep. Sherill (NJ)

"As we continue to witness the ongoing genocidal siege and blockade  of Artsakh, our Region's activists sounded the alarm and demanded  action from our elected officials to provide for the Armenians of  Artsakh.  They have rallied Armenian American throughout the Eastern  Region for Artsakh this August. I want to extend a heartfelt thanks  to our dedicated activists who took the time out of their busy  schedules to prioritize Artsakh - sharing stories of the blockade and  its impact on the Armenian Nation with Representatives and Senators  from Florida to Ohio to North Carolina and beyond," said Dr. Ara  Chalian, ANCA Eastern Region Board Chairman.