CA Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation Complained to UC Berkeley Regarding Cancelation of Screening of My Sweet Land
Chancellor Rich Lyons
Vice Chancellor and Provost Benjamin Hermalin
University of California, Berkeley
200 California Hall #1500
Berkeley, CA 94720
Dean Erwin Chemerinsky
University of California Berkely Law
215 Law Building
Berkeley, CA 94720
UC Regents Board Chair Janet Reilly
UC Regents Vice Chair Maria Anguiano
Office of the Secretary and Chief of Staff
1111 Franklin Street, 12th Floor
Oakland, CA 94607
Sent Via Email and USPS
April 28, 2025
Dear Chancellor Lyons, Vice Chancellor and Provost Hermalin, Dean Chemerinsky, and UC Regents Board Chair and Vice Chair:
The California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation expresses our deep concern regarding the cancellation of the scheduled screening of
a documentary film, My Sweet Land, at the Human Rights Center in honor of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.
According to various reports, this decision followed pressure from the Consulate of Azerbaijan and several graduate students affiliated with an
Azerbaijani state-sponsored scholarship program. If true, this sets a troubling precedent, raising serious questions about UC Berkeley’s
commitment to free expression, academic freedom, and the autonomy of student organizations.
The justification that the film was “provocative” is deeply problematic. If accepted as a rationale for silencing marginalized communities, it
invites a chilling effect on open dialogue, critical reflection, and historical memory—principles that lie at the heart of higher education.
The documentary My Sweet Land was chosen to provide space for reflection on a day of profound historical and emotional significance- the
110th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Attempts to suppress this opportunity, particularly when influenced by external political actors, is
a direct conflict with the values UC Berkeley purports to uphold as a leading academic institution.
California is home to the largest Armenian diaspora in the United States and has consistently recognized the Armenian Genocide. It is
alarming that representatives of a foreign government, and students funded by a foreign state, reportedly influenced internal campus
decisions. This raises urgent concerns about foreign interference and the vulnerability of campus programming to geopolitical agendas.
We respectfully ask UC Berkeley for a meeting to:
1. Reaffirm its commitment to protecting freedom of expression and academic freedom for all student groups, especially those
representing historically persecuted communities;
2. Clarify the specific reasons for the event’s cancellation, including any involvement from external or non-university actors;
3. Provide institutional support to ensure the documentary can be screened without further obstruction;
4. Establish clear guidelines to safeguard student programming from foreign state influence or undue political pressure.
We look forward to meeting with you and working together on a constructive path forward.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you have any questions, please contact Natalie Bruton-Yenovkian at
(916) 396-9738.
Sincerely,
John Harabedian Sasha Renée Pérez Jessica Caloza Nick Schultz David Tangipa
Chair, Assemblymember Senator Assemblymember Assemblymember Assemblymember
CC: Senator Jesse Senator Arreguín
Assemblymember Buffy Wicks
UC Regent Elaine Batchlor
UC Regent Josiah Beharry
UC Regent Carmen Chu
UC Regent Michael Cohen
UC Regent Gareth Elliott
UC Regent Howard “Peter Guber
UC Regent Jose M. Hernandez
UC Regent Nancy Lee
UC Regent Richard Leib
UC Regent Hadi Makarechian
UC Regen Ana Matosantos
UC Regent Robert Myers
UC Regent Lark Park
UC Regent Janey Reilly
UC Regent Mark Robinson
UC Regent Gregory Sarris
UC Regent Jonathan “Jay” Sures
9458 TREELAKE ROAD, GRANITE BAY, CA 95746 • PHONE: (916) 396-9738
THE CALIFORNIA ARMENIAN LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS FOUNDATION (ID# 47-3314636) IS AN INTERNAL REVENUE CODE 501(C)(3) EXEMPT
CHARITABLE NON-PROFIT BENEFIT ORGANIZATION
NOT PRINTED AT TAXPAYER EXPENSE
PRINTED IN HOUSE
