(Sacramento, CA) — Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena), Chair of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation, issued the following statement today condemning the University of California, Berkeley’s decision to cancel the student- led screening of My Sweet Land, a documentary on the Armenian Genocide:
“As an Armenian American and Chair of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation, I find it shameful that University of California, Berkeley is silencing the voices of all Armenians by canceling a student-led screening of My Sweet Land, a documentary on the Armenian Genocide. This betrayal feels exceptionally poignant given it was cancelled on the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Armenians around the world deserve an apology and a public affirmation that UC Berkeley will right their wrong by showing the film and remembering the 1.5 million lives lost during the Armenian Genocide,” said Assemblymember John Harabedian.
Harabedian emphasized that suppressing open dialogue about historical atrocities undercuts UC Berkeley's long-standing reputation as a champion of free speech and academic freedom.
Assemblymember Harabedian and the California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation is calling on UC Berkeley to immediately reschedule the screening, issue a public apology to the Armenian Community, and commit to upholding the principles of free expression in the future.
The cancellation occurred on April 24- the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide- reportedly due to Turkish government influence.
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Assemblymember John Harabedian represents the 41st District composed of the cities of La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Bradbury, San Dimas, La Verne, Claremont, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Oak Hills, Piñon Hills and Phelan.
