Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Every Year Armenian Americans Rally For Justice, But These Protests Are Different
()
Every year members of the Armenian diaspora push for recognition by the United States and other world powers of a genocide carried out by the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923.
During the Armenian Genocide, as much as three-fourths of the population was wiped out in massacres and forced marches to the Syrian desert, and the survivors were scattered far and wide, many ultimately settling in Southern California.
But those who have taken to the streets in recent weeks are focused on what they see as a more imminent and existential threat to their homeland and families. That's because a long-simmering conflict half a world away has boiled over into armed confrontation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the latter of which is backed by Turkey.
Salpi Ghazarian, director of the University of Southern California's Institute of Armenian Studies, explained to our culture and local news show Take Two, which airs on 89.3 KPCC, how news of Turkey's support of Azerbaijan and the rhetoric of conquest brings back traumatic memories:
Support for LAist comes from
"We continue to live until this last generation is dying with those memories -- very real memories of Turkish atrocities against its Armenian citizens. And now, we see Turkey and Turkish authorities repeating the same lines. And so, that trauma is being recalled and it's very raw."
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
USC says it’s reviewing the letter also sent to eight other prestigious schools nationwide. California's governor vowed that any California universities that sign will lose state funding. -
Scientists say La Niña is likely, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a dry winter in Southern California. -
According to a grand jury report the contractor took advantage of strained relations and political pressures to “force” the city to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to settle disputes. -
Administrators say the bargaining units should be dismissed, or that they have no standing. One campus is going after the federal agency in charge of union activity. -
The landslide is not connected to the greater Portuguese Bend landslide, city officials said. -
Nom. Nom. Nom. The event destroyed the internet when it was first announced — and sold out in minutes.
Best of LAist