ANCA Western Region Advocates from Wyoming to Alaska, Arizona to Texas Press Congress for Hostage Release, Artsakh Return

Advocates traveled from eight Western Region States to join more than 100 Armenian-Americans from over 30 states in 150+ Congressional meetings.

Washington D.C. – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) mobilized advocates from Colorado, California, Oregon, Washington, Texas, Arizona, Alaska, and Wyoming to take part in ANCA Strategic Advocacy held over September 14 and 15. ANCA-WR’s delegation joined activists from across the country in a national effort spanning over 30 states, which included more than 150 meetings with Congressional offices and over 100 advocates overall.

“This delegation reflects the depth of our region’s commitment, from Rising Leaders and Kasparian Summer Academy alumni to first time advocates who traveled from Wyoming and Alaska to make their voices heard,” said Oshin Harootoonian, Chairman of the ANCA-WR Board of Directors. “Whether it is securing the release of our POWs, enforcing section 907, or standing with the displaced people of Artsakh, our advocates carried these priorities into every office on Capitol Hill. This is what a decades-long investment in developing Armenian-American leaders looks like in action, and it is what will keep our community’s voice growing in Washington D.C. for years to come.”

A Multigenerational Delegation

Veteran activists worked the offices side by side with advocates making their first trip to Capitol Hill. The delegation drew on alumni from across the ANCA’s program, including the Rising Leaders, the Leo Sarkissian and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan internships, the Kasparian Summer Academy, the Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program, and the ANCA-WR Summer Internship Program, while the Armenian Youth Federation Western Region turned out members of their ranks across the region. From the high planes of Wyoming to the deserts of Arizona, and from the Pacific Northwest of the Texas Hill Country, this year’s delegation put Armenian American concerns in front of Representatives and Senators across the West.

Policy and Legislative Priorities

A top legislative priority for ANCA-WR advocates was enforcing Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, which bans U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan but has been consistently waived by successive administrations since 2001. Advocates also pushed for passage of the ARMENIA Security Partnership Act (H.R.6840), which would prohibit the President from waiving Section 907 until specific requirements are met to ensure Armenia’s safety and security.

Advocates also pressed Congress on the plight of the 19 Armenian POWs and hostages who have been illegally detained and tortured in Baku for over 1,000 days, urging members of Congress to co-sponsor the Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act of 2025 (H.R.5369) – bipartisan legislation calling for Global Magnitsky Sanctions against Azerbaijani officials and service members responsible for human rights violations, including the illegal detainment of Armenian hostages.

Accountability | 2026

The delegation’s two days on Capitol Hill concluded with a reception titled “Accountability | 2026 – Artsakh: Justice. Freedom. Right of Return,” attended by a dozen members of Congress, including Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues David Valadao (R-CA) and Brad Sherman (D-CA), who voiced support for the release of Armenian hostages and the right of return for the 150,000 Armenians of Artsakh exiled from their ancestral homeland.

Here is What Some of the Advocates Had to Say About their Experience

Michael Granato – California

“Advocacy is an important tool  to engage with our legislators on issues important to our community.  It allows us to speak to members of congress and their staff as to issues such as the enforcement of section 907 of the freedom support act, the right of return to Artsakh and the release of hostages currently held by the Azeri Government. I am pleased the ANCA has taken an active role in encouraging the community especially the college aged adults to discuss these results. I believe it is incumbent on our leadership to engage in this process as well.”

Philip Kanayan, ANCA Texas Co-Chair

“Through ANCA’s Advocacy Days, I had the opportunity to connect with driven Armenian Americans from across the country, an especially unique experience coming from a small community in Texas. A few of my friends from A&M’s Armenian Students’ Association joined me as we went from office to office, advocating for the full enforcement of Section 907 and its importance in holding Azerbaijan accountable. It was inspiring to see our community’s concerns reach policymakers and the impact grassroots advocacy can have.”

Nicole Mikaelyan – Texas

“As an Armenian-American from Washington State, participating in the ANCA’s 2026 Advocacy Days is important because it gives us the opportunity to bring our collective story directly to those who shape policy. Advocating in DC allows us to demonstrate the political strength and contributions of our community, and helps ensure that our priorities and concerns are heard by our elected representatives.”

Greg Akopyan – Washington

“Not only was it a privileged opportunity to experience Washington at an institutional level, but ANCA’s advocacy provided me with a sense of purpose for a few days to discover my heritage. Throughout my life, I have redefined what Armenian means for me, and this experience definitely feels like the most determinate expression yet.”

Leo Abrahamian – Oregon

“Meeting with offices representing both the Bay Area and Los Angeles showed me how many Armenian-Americans rely on a few of us to carry their voices to the federal table. I’d urge advocates from across America to join the ANCA’s Advocacy Days. There is no better way to make an impact on Armenian-American issues.”

Areg Horoupian – Northern California

“Advocacy Days reinforced for me that geography does not determine the strength of our voices. No matter how small or distant our communities may be, there is immense value in speaking directly with our elected officials to ensure the concerns of Armenian Americans — from continued support for Armenia’s security to justice for the victims of Azerbaijani aggression — are heard and considered in the policymaking process. I hope other Armenian Americans across the country, especially those far from our larger communities, feel empowered to know that their voice matters just as much as anyone else’s.”

Anna Kardashyan – Alaska

“There is little that can compare to the power of Armenians organized and moving with one purpose through the halls and offices of one of the most powerful capitals in the world. That power was palpable in the halls of Congress, pushing for the release of our POWs and the enforcement of Section 907. That power is the calling of our Homeland – the invisible hand that never falters to ensure the safety, security and prosperity of the Republic of Armenia.”

Suren Sargsyan – Colorado

“It was such an honor to represent my community from Arizona on the Hill. It was so beautiful to see how Armenians from all over the country came together to advocate for our people and to be a voice of the voiceless. I’m so grateful that I could be part of such an important movement as an advocate from Arizona.”

Juliana Panossian – Arizona