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The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) California local chapters welcome the California State Assembly’s passage of AJR 1 condemning Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh.

The resolution was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, with 58 representatives joining as co-sponsors, and the final vote tally standing at 59 votes to 0, ANCA reported.

“The passage of AJR 1 is a powerful step towards holding Azerbaijan accountable for its unabated aggression against the Armenians of Artsakh,” remarked ANCA National Board Member Aida Dimejian. “We’re grateful to have worked closely with Assemblymember Chris Holden and his colleagues on ensuring the timely passage of this resolution, which calls on the U.S. Government to take immediate action to pressure Azerbaijan to end its cruel and inhumane blockade of Artsakh.”

The ANCA’s California chapters worked closely with Assemblymember Chris Holden, who introduced the resolution, in an effort to reaffirm California’s recognition of Artsakh’s right to self-determination, and urge the Biden Administration to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to the Armenians of Artsakh. The resolution also calls for the Biden Administration to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its aggression by enforcing Section 907 restrictions on military aid to Baku.

“Today, AJR 1 passed the Assembly to the Senate with bi-partisan support. The blockade of the Lachin Corridor has endangered the lives of 120,000 Armenians including 30,000 children who face critical shortages of food, medicine and other vital goods. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to have this measure passed and sent to Congress and the President,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden.

Assemblymember Chris Holden was joined by Assemblymembers Laura Friedman, Wendy Carillo, Lisa Calderon, Megan Dahle, Mike Gipson, Mike Fong, Tom Lackey, Cottie Petrie-Norris, Eloise Gomez Reyes, Luz Rivas, and Blanca Rubio as co-authors on AJR 1. Following its successful passage through the California Assembly, the resolution will now be considered before the Senate, where it is being introduced by California State Senator Anthony Portantino, with Senators Bob Archuleta and Scott Wilk as co-authors.