Pashinyan Uses Charm Offensive in Historic LA Address

“Armenians have a great history, a great past, and a great present,” said Pashinyan, who reiterated the words of Barouyr Sevag in his poem, “We Are Few But We Are Called Armenians.”

LA, State Officials Join Pashinyan

“We are proud to have Armenian men and women scholars, cultural and political leaders,” said Garcetti, alluding to his own ethnic background, born to a Mexican father and great-grandparents who were Russian-Jewish immigrants. “You made Los Angeles what it truly is, a City of Angels, because in times of division and hatred, everyone belongs here and every Armenian feels Los Angeles is their second home because you belong to this state.”

Garcetti reaffirmed his support not only of Armenian-Americans but for recognition of the Armenian Genocide that is widely commemorated throughout California and particularly Los Angeles, as thousands “walk arm in arm to say never again and make sure that every lie is met with truth when we gather on the streets to speak the truth.”

“We will always defend you here in Los Angeles,” said Garcetti.

He touched upon solidarity between the United States and Armenia and the new opportunities in Armenia thanks to the election of Pashinyan.

“With this prime minister, a new day of sunshine, democracy and openness has come to Armenia,” said Garcetti. “It’s time for us in Los Angeles to visit, invest and support the new Armenia so it rises into a new era of progress under the leadership of this prime minister.”

In his reflections, Los Angeles Councilman Paul Krekorian, the first Armenian-American elected to the Council in 2010, and who spearheaded the Prime Minister’s visit, along with Los Angeles County Supervisors Kathryn Barger, remarked that independence, freedom and democracy cannot be achieved overnight and is an “ongoing struggle that all of us must continue to fight.”

“The velvet revolution led by His Excellency was one of the brightest, most optimistic most exciting moments in that long struggle and it not only transformed Armenia but inspired everyone around the world who strives for democratic governance,” said Krekorian, asserting the importance of carrying on an ancient culture and history. “Our nation’s survival has depended on millions of ordinary Armenians who have passed onto each generation a national identity, commitment and a profound faith and culture that has enriched the world since before the Egyptians built their first pyramid.”

Krekorian stated that Pashinyan understood the power of the Armenian nation and those “unsung heroes” of the past and those of today, who together achieved this new dawn in Armenia’s democratic governance.

Rep. Adam Schiff highlighted that Los Angeles is the capital of the Armenian Diaspora and he is “proud of the strong relationship between the United States and Armenia.”

“I have watched with enormous interest and hope the democratic revival Armenia has experienced from the Velvet Revolution and the peaceful transition of power and free and fair elections that show the strength and resilience of Armenia’s democracy,” said Schiff, who reaffirmed his commitment to “advocate” for Armenia and to ensure its security and prosperity.

Schiff acknowledged the 28th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia’s independence and its successes while also recognizing the “ever-present threat” from the bordering countries of Azerbaijan and Turkey.

“I’m confident the strength and determination of the Armenian people, who have survived and thrived across centuries,” he concluded.

The American and Armenian National Anthems were performed by The Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School choir. Clergy in attendance included Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Primate of the Western Prelacy, and Rev. Berdj Djambazian of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North, said the Invocation of the event.

There was some opposition to Pashinyan’s presence, including protestors of the Amulsar project, green-lit by the government of Armenia that permits its largest foreign investor, Lydian, to begin development of the gold mine despite the potential environment and health impacts. Azerbaijan, which had earlier protested Pashinyan’s scheduled speech in Grand Park, may be tied to airplanes that flew above the rally with anti-Armenian banners in relation to Karabakh.