ANCA Western Region

10/09/2026

From Brussels to the Western United States, the Armenian Cause speaks with one voice. ANCA-WR applauds EAFJD - European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy and the European Parliament for holding Azerbaijan accountable. Justice for Armenian political prisoners cannot wait.

The Sun never sets on the pursuit of the Armenian Cause.

492 FOR | 23 AGAINST | 60 ABSTENTIONS 🇪🇺
📌The European Parliament has voted by an overwhelming majority to adopt resolution RC10-0438, strongly condemning Baku’s ongoing repression and human rights abuses.
📌Echoing its previous urgency resolutions, the EP reiterates
•Demands the freedom of allpolitical prisoners, specifically highlighting Azerbaijani opposition leaders, human rights defenders, and all illegally detained Armenian prisoners and hostages.
• Calls on the EU to apply targeted measures under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against responsible officials.
• Reaffirms that any future EU-Azerbaijan partnership agreement must be strictly conditional on tangible human rights progress and the release of political prisoners.

09/26/2026

Armenian National Committee representatives from nearly 20 countries opened the Pan-Armenian Hai Tahd Conference in Yerevan on September 25.

ANC International representative Hagop Der Khatchadourian set out the network's priorities: strengthening Armenian statehood, defending the rights of Artsakh Armenians, advancing justice for the Armenian Genocide, protecting Diaspora communities, and expanding Armenian youth's role in civic life.

Joining Der Khatchadourian in offering remarks at the opening were featured clergy speaking on behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia; ANCA Communications Director Elizabeth Chouldjian; and ANC International Projects Manager Gevorg Ghukasyan, among others.

Over four days, through September 28, ANC leaders are comparing what has worked in their capitals, reviewing two years of advocacy, and discussing best practices to confront the political and security challenges facing Armenia and the Armenian people.

09/26/2026

30+ countries. 15 offices. 100+ ANC chapters. One global network.

This week, Armenian National Committees from around the world gathered in Armenia for the Pan-Armenian Hai Tahd Conference. They came together in pursuit of the Armenian Cause, to fight for justice, from freeing Armenian hostages to securing Artsakh's right of return, and to ensure the security of the Sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia.

09/15/2026

ANCA Western Region advocates sat down with Laura Friedman (D-CA) during ANCA Advocacy Days to discuss ANCA's policy priorities.

Rep. Friedman represents Glendale and Burbank — home to the largest Armenian American population in the country — and has long been a proud and outspoken champion of the Armenian Cause, regularly joining ANCA's Armenian Genocide commemorations in her district.

Advocates urged her to continue that leadership by cosponsoring:

H.R.2585, the Armenian Genocide Education Act, funding genocide education and curricula development in schools nationwide.
H.R.6840, the ARMENIA Security Partnership Act, strengthening Armenia's security and sovereignty and limiting U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan until Baku withdraws from sovereign Armenian territory.
H.R.5369, the Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act, holding Azerbaijan accountable for war crimes and human rights violations.

The briefing also covered the Armenian hostages illegally imprisoned in Baku for over 1,000 days and Azerbaijan's ongoing destruction and desecration of Armenian churches and holy sites.

Read ANCA's policy priorities: anca.org/priorities

09/15/2026

ANCA Western Region and ANCA Texas advocates sat down with U.S. Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) team during ANCA Advocacy Days to discuss ANCA's policy priorities.
Rep. Fletcher is a cosponsor of H.R.2585, the Armenian Genocide Education Act, and has signed a congressional letter backing the right of return for Artsakh's forcibly displaced Armenian population.

Advocates urged her to build on that record by cosponsoring:

H.R.6840, the ARMENIA Security Partnership Act, strengthening Armenia's security and sovereignty and limiting U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan until Baku withdraws from sovereign Armenian territory
H.R.5369, the Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act, holding Azerbaijan accountable for war crimes and human rights violations

The briefing also covered the Armenian hostages illegally imprisoned in Baku for over 1,000 days and Azerbaijan's ongoing destruction and desecration of Armenian churches and holy sites.
Read ANCA's policy priorities: anca.org/priorities

09/15/2026

ANCA Western Region Advocacy Days: Advocates all the way from Arizona traveled to Washington, D.C. to make the case for a stronger U.S.-Armenia relationship and real consequences for Azerbaijan's aggression.

Our advocates met with Representative Greg Stanton (D-AZ) for a productive discussion on ANCA's legislative priorities, urging his support for H.R.5369, the Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act — a bill that would push the State and Treasury Departments to weigh Global Magnitsky sanctions against the Azerbaijani officials behind the detention, abuse, and sentencing of Armenian POWs. Rep. Stanton has consistently stood with our community, and we look forward to deepening that partnership in pursuit of the Armenian Cause.

Learn more: anca.org/advocacydays

09/15/2026

ANCA Advocacy Days: Our advocates flew in from across the Western Region to Washington, D.C. to advocate for a stronger U.S.-Armenia relationship and to hold Azerbaijan accountable.

Today, our advocates sat down with Trent Buatte, National Security Advisor to Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), for a productive meeting on ANCA's priorities. Senator Schiff has long been a steadfast friend and ally of the ANCA, and we look forward to continuing our close cooperation with him in pursuit of the Armenian Cause.

Learn more: anca.org/advocacydays

09/11/2026

Proud to announce a new award at the 2026 ANCA-WR Gala: the Gabriel Injejikian Academic Excellence Award.

Gabriel Injejikian (1930–2019) was a true pioneer of Armenian education in America. Born in Kessab, he immigrated to the U.S., earned his degrees at Wayne State, CSULA, and UCLA, and in 1964 realized his lifelong dream by founding Ferrahian Armenian High School in Encino — the first Armenian day school in the United States. He served as its principal for 26 years, later advised the Armenian Sisters' Academy, co-founded Ararat Charter School, and helped build Camp Kessab, shaping generations of Armenian American students along the way.

He was the visionary undaunted by the throngs of naysayers who insisted an Armenian day school would never take off in the U.S., home to the premier public school system in the world at the time. Driven by a vision like the biblical Noah, he built the ark that saved American Armenian heritage.

This award honors his legacy by recognizing a student's academic excellence and commitment to the Armenian community he dedicated his life to building.

Join us on October 11, 2026 at the Taglyan Complex to celebrate.

09/10/2026

We're proud to announce that acclaimed Armenian filmmaker Jivan Avetisyan will receive ANCA Western Region's "Advocacy in Cinema" Award at our 2026 Gala! 🎬

“Through his films, Jivan Avetisyan has done what so few in our community have had the platform to do – carry the story of Artsakh to audiences who might otherwise never hear it,” stated Oshin Harootoonian, Chairman of the ANCA-WR Board of Directors. “His work transcends cinema – it is testimony, preserved and shared so that the truth and memory of Artsakh can never be erased. His recognition as this year’s Advocacy in Cinema honoree reflects the vital role that art plays in our advocacy.”

Join us as we honor his extraordinary work bringing Armenian stories to the world stage. 🇦🇲

📅 October 11, 2026 | Taglyan Complex
🎟️ Tickets on sale now at anca.wr/gala2026

09/09/2026

Tickets are officially on sale for the 2026 ANCA Western Region Gala! 🥂
Join us Sunday, October 11th at the Taglyan Complex for an evening of community and celebration — reception at 4:30 PM, dinner & program at 6:30 PM.
Don't wait — secure your seat today at anca.wr/gala2026!