The ASUC officially recognizes April 24th as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, honoring the 1.5 million Armenians killed by the Ottoman Empire and condemning Turkey's denial of the genocide. This resolution aims to support the Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian communities at UC Berkeley by expanding education on the Armenian Genocide and advocating for increased fiscal and visa support for Armenian and MEMSSA international students. It also calls on UC Berkeley administrators to strengthen investment in Armenian campus clubs and the Armenian Studies Program, and to send an annual campus-wide notice on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.
No roll call was taken. Everyone recorded present when the Senate agreed is shown as not objecting.
7 people spoke
apr 22Tigran Al-Falyant spoke in support of the resolution, giving historical context on the Armenian Genocide and the Ottoman regime's actions in 1915. He highlighted the ongoing denialism by the Turkish government and urged active education and official recognition to combat denialist narratives.
Nader Khilafian thanked the Senate for passing the Armenian genocide commemoration bill and drew attention to current atrocities facing Armenians today. He urged the Senate to recognize ongoing blockades and violence as a modern form of genocide.
Saurine, co-culture chair of the Armenian Students' Association, highlighted their week-long tabling on Sproul Plaza to raise funds for children displaced in Artsakh due to the Armenian Genocide. She also expressed disappointment that University Event Services relocated their scheduled movie screening off Memorial Glade and asked for better event visibility in the future.
Farid Andy, a member of the Armenian Student Association, shared personal experiences of facing racism as an Armenian from Turkey and expressed solidarity with other marginalized groups. They asked the Senate to support the resolution recognizing historical atrocities against Armenians so that history is not repeated.
Christine, president of the Armenian Sorority, spoke on the ongoing generational trauma and denial faced by Armenian students on campus. She emphasized the critical importance of historical remembrance to honor lost family members, resist erasure, and refuse silence.
The speaker voiced support for the Armenian commemoration bill and advocated for practical support for displaced Armenians from Artsakh. They highlighted concerns about oil-for-arms trades between Azerbaijan and Israel while encouraging political organizing beyond the structural limits of student government.
Lizana expressed support for the bill, emphasizing its significance to the Armenian community and genocide survivors. She called on society and institutions to resist harmful mindsets and continue supporting cultural resilience.
Solomon
