ANCA-WR Brings Genocide Recognition, AB 91 Implementation, and Community Partnership to Governor Newsom’s Desk

Sacramento Meeting Puts Genocide Recognition, AB 91 Implementation, and Armenian-American Priorities on Newsom’s Desk.

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) advanced a strategic agenda at Governor Gavin Newsom’s Sacramento office on April 20th, pressing the Governor on a range of urgent priorities for the Armenian American community, from Genocide recognition to the implementation of the landmark MENA Inclusion Act.

“Governor Newsom has long been a trusted ally of the Armenian American community, and we are grateful for his continued engagement,” said ANCA Western Region Board Member Astine Suleimanyan. “During our meeting, we discussed key issues facing Armenian families, including ongoing efforts to combat genocide denial, the impact of the Artsakh crisis on communities in California, and the need to protect civil rights and support Armenian owned businesses across the state. I expressed appreciation to the Governor for signing AB 91, an important step forward in strengthening Armenian Genocide education. We look forward to working with the Administration to ensure full implementation in classrooms across California.”

The delegation was led by ANCA-WR Boardmember Astine Suleimanyan and Executive Director Ruben Karapetian, joined by community leaders Vlad Minasyan, and Jack Kayajian and President Emeritus of Burbank Unified School District Dr. Armond Aghakhanian.

The delegation underscored the unbroken thread connecting the Armenian Genocide to the 2023 ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, urging the Governor to recognize these as part of a continuing pattern of unchecked violence against the Armenian people, not isolated historical episodes. The Governor’s own legacy on Genocide recognition was acknowledged, including his leadership in securing formal recognition in San Francisco and his role with the erection of the Mt. Davidson Cross.

The delegation also raised serious alarm over the federal administration’s retreat from the word “Genocide” – a dangerous reversal that threatens to undo decades of hard-won recognition and emboldens those who seek to rewrite history.

The delegation spotlighted AB 91, the MENA Inclusion Act authored by Assemblymember John Harabedian, which passed in 2025 with strong ANCA-WR support. The law marks a critical step toward ensuring Armenian-Americans and members of the broader MENA community are properly counted, recognized, and served by California’s state institutions. ANCA-WR called on the Governor’s office to ensure full and timely implementation of MENA demographic data collection statewide.