Armenian Assembly

#BREAKING: In advance of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Armenia, the Armenian Assembly urges the immediate and unconditional release of Christian Armenian hostages wrongfully imprisoned in Azerbaijan. President Trump previously committed to raising the release of the Christian Armenian hostages directly with President Aliyev. The Assembly calls on the United States to translate these commitments into concrete, measurable action. 🔗 Read more: armenian-assembly.org/post/armenian-…

Limited YP tickets are still available for the Armenian Assembly of America's Celebration of Service — June 6 in Boston. Each ticket includes dinner, drinks, gala entertainment, and a complimentary ticket to the Hye House Boston Kef after-party in partnership with @ArmeniaTree 21+ only. Get your tickets before they're gone. 🔗 wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLin…

#BREAKING: A newly released report by the International Commission of Jurists confirms the sham nature of Azerbaijan’s political trials against Armenian hostages seized from Nagorno-Karabakh. The Armenian Assembly of America welcomes the ICJ report and renews its call for governments to take concrete action to secure the release of Armenian Christian hostages held by Azerbaijan and hold the Aliyev regime accountable. 🔗 Read more: aaainc.org

We thank @RepMaxMiller (R-OH) for cosponsoring H.R. 2585, the Armenian Genocide Education Act, which ensures additional funding for the Library of Congress to support Armenian Genocide education programs. Ensure your member is cosponsored by contacting them at: aaainc.org/advocacy

The Armenian Assembly of America’s Celebration of Service in Boston on Saturday, June 6, 2026, is officially SOLD OUT. We look forward to gathering for this special evening honoring leaders and staff members whose service has helped shape the Assembly across generations. Although tickets are sold out, supporters near and far can still be part of this special moment. In recognition of their contributions, we invite you to make a tribute gift in honor of this year’s Distinguished Service Award recipients. Your gift helps celebrate their legacy and support the Assembly’s continued work to strengthen advocacy, education, research, and community engagement for generations to come. Make a tribute gift today 🔗 form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/armenian-…

The 111th Armenian Genocide Commemoration in Times Square, New York, brought together thousands of Armenians and non-Armenians in remembrance of the 1.5 million Armenian Genocide Holy Martyrs. Organized by the @KnightsOfVartan and co-sponsored by leading Armenian American organizations, including the Armenian Assembly of America, this year’s commemoration centered on the theme “Carrying the Past and Claiming the Future,” honoring ancestral Armenian roots while looking toward the future of Armenian advocacy on Capitol Hill and beyond. Armenian Assembly of America Executive Director Bryan Ardouny delivered remarks during the program, alongside Congressman @FrankPallone (D-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, and other civic, scholarly, clergy, and community leaders. Masters of Ceremonies Lucine Beylerian, an Armenian Assembly Terjenian-Thomas Intern alumna, Chantelle Nasri, and Nairi Diratsouian led the event, which also featured remarks from genocide prevention scholar Dr. Henry Theriault, Dr. Jesse Arlen, Director of the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center, representatives of major Armenian American organizations, and cultural performances. Photos: Harout Barsoumian-Bars Images

On April 24, Assembly Co-Chair Talin Yacoubian, intern alumni, staff, and advocates attended the 111th Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide at the   Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument in Montebello, California. The greater Los Angeles community program featured remarks from elected officials, students, and organizers, and special cultural performances of song and dance. Assembly staff and advocates also caught up with @SenBobArchuleta (SD-30), who represents the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument, @AsmMarkGonzalez (AD-54), State Assemblymember Nick Schultz (AD-44), and Glendale Mayor @ArdyKassakhian. The Assembly placed a wreath at the 58-year monument, named a State Historic Landmark last year, and designed by H. Hrant Agbabian, the brother of Assembly founding member and past Co-Chair Dr. Mihran Agbabian.

The Armenian Assembly of America welcomes @RepLSimon (D-CA) to the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. Armenian Americans in California’s 12th congressional district are grateful for the support of the Armenian community, and we look forward to working together on strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations.

We thank @RepRaskin (D-MD) for cosponsoring H.R. 2585, the Armenian Genocide Education Act, ensuring the Library of Congress additional funding to carry out activities to support Armenian Genocide education programs. Ensure your member is cosponsored by contacting them at: aaainc.org/advocacy

CHW has determined that the Armenian Genocide memorial in Stepanakert/Khankendi has been destroyed. Erected on the 100th anniversary of the 1915 atrocities, the white marble bell tower once housed a reliquary containing human remains from Der Zor—the Syrian desert town where hundreds of thousands of Armenians perished. Satellite imagery from Airbus and @Planet shows that the monument, as well as an associated memorial complex, were destroyed between July 14, 2025, and April 25, 2026. 1/5

Join the Armenian Assembly of America for the Celebration of Service on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at the Artists for Humanity EpiCenter in Boston, Massachusetts. This special evening will honor longtime Assembly leaders and staff whose decades of service have helped shape the organization’s legacy, strengthen its mission, and advance the Armenian American community. Each honoree will receive the Armenian Assembly of America’s Distinguished Service Award in recognition of more than 25 years of service. The evening will feature Co-Emcees Dr. Henry Ben Morgenthau and Kristina Ayanian, with remarks by Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts and Armenian Assembly Life Trustees Dr. Noubar Afeyan and Anna Afeyan. RSVP by May 18. 🔗 Visit aaainc.org for registration and sponsorship information.

Last week we commemorated Armenian Remembrance Day. We must never forget the 1.5 million people systematically killed during the Armenian genocide, and commit to ensuring these atrocities never happen again.

@RepHaleyStevens (D-MI) delivered remarks at the 111th Armenian Genocide commemoration on Capitol Hill. “We must continue to push for education. The Armenian Genocide Education Act has not been passed into law. We must enforce sanctions and enforce Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. U.S. military assistance should not and cannot go to Azerbaijan while they continue to hold Armenian prisoners and occupy Armenian territory.”

I'm proud to have helped secure increased security assistance for Armenia in the State Department's proposed appropriations for Fiscal Year 2027! I thank the almost 50 colleagues from the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues who joined me in a letter calling for greater investment in U.S.-Armenian cooperation and partnership. But I remain disappointed that the bill does not include additional funding for humanitarian aid for Nagorno-Karabakh's tragically displaced populace nor additional restrictions on Azerbaijan’s destabilizing behavior. I look forward to working with my colleagues to further address these issues, and to continue building a fruitful relationship with the Republic of Armenia.

This month, we stand with Armenians around the world in recognizing the Armenian Genocide. We remember the over 1.5 million Armenians murdered by the Ottoman Empire and reaffirm our commitment to Armenians whose culture and sovereignty remain under threat.

Just last week, we gathered in Fresno to mark the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Now, Azerbaijan has confirmed that they demolished the iconic Holy Mother of God Cathedral in Stepanakert — a stark reminder that the erasure of Armenian cultural heritage and Christian history is still continuing even more than 100 years later. We must continue to stand with the Armenian people and ensure the world does not ignore these continued crimes.

We thank @RepPaulTonko (D-NY) for cosponsoring key legislation advancing Armenian American priorities: H.R. 6840, the Armenia Security Partnership Act, H.R. 5369, the Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act, and H.R. 2585, the Armenian Genocide Education Act. Last week, Armenian Assembly New York State Chair Mariam Aghayan joined Rep. Tonko and members of the Albany Armenian American community to commemorate the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian Assembly’s 2025 Terjenian-Thomas Interns also had the opportunity to meet with Rep. Tonko and thank him for his continued support. Take action: aaainc.org/advocacy

The 111th Armenian Genocide Commemoration was held at the Massachusetts State House. Organized by the Boston Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee, the ceremony took place in the Chamber of the House of Representatives and was emceed by State Representative David Muradian (R-MA). Remarks were delivered by distinguished speakers, including keynote speaker Dr. Jermaine McCalpin and Armenian Assembly Advocacy Summit Scholar Aspram Israyelyan. State Representative Steve Owens (D-MA) presented a proclamation on behalf of Governor Maura Healey, and State Senator Will Brownsberger (D-MA) recognized members of the Armenian American community for their contributions, presenting official citations. Also in attendance were State Representative Dave Rogers (D-MA), Armenian Assembly Board Member Herman Purutyan, and Assembly community members, honoring the memory of the Saint Martyrs and reaffirming a shared commitment to remembrance, education, and justice.

ANI Director Dr. Rouben Adalian extends his profound appreciation to @All_ASA Eastern Region for convening a most meaningful and moving vigil in remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. Hosted by All-ASA Eastern Region and the George Washington University Armenian Students Association, the program included an opening prayer and blessing by Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, remarks from Deputy Director of All-ASA Eastern Region Tamara Nahapetyan and Hrachya Sahakyan, Director of All-ASA Eastern Region and an Armenian Assembly Advocacy Summit Scholar. Guest speakers Kate Nahapetian, Founding Executive Director of the Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights, and Dr. Rouben Adalian also offered remarks, followed by a candle lighting ceremony and moment of silence in honor of the 1.5 million Armenian Genocide Saint Martyrs.