SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember and Democratic Caucus Chair Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) issued the following statement regarding reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan may visit Los Angeles in connection with upcoming international events:
“Families throughout the Armenian Diaspora, including many in historic Little Armenia and across Los Angeles, carry the living memory of one of history’s darkest chapters: the Armenian Genocide. That is why I am deeply troubled by the prospect of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan using Los Angeles as a backdrop for a political photo opportunity.
California’s position on this history is clear, codified, and non-negotiable. The systematic murder of 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children by the Ottoman Empire beginning in 1915 was a genocide. That truth has been recognized by the State of California, the United States government, and historians around the world. Any attempt to minimize, deny, or obscure that reality is an affront to survivors, their descendants, and all who believe in human rights and historical accountability.
This concern extends beyond history. Armenian communities continue to face threats and displacement in the region, and many Californians remain deeply concerned about Turkey’s role in conflicts affecting Armenian people and communities. We cannot separate today’s human rights challenges from a broader pattern of denial and injustice.
As Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world, our values must remain clear. Our public institutions should never be used to legitimize genocide denial, authoritarianism, or human rights abuses. I strongly urge local, state, and federal leaders to decline any ceremonial welcomes, official meetings, or political photo opportunities associated with President Erdoğan’s visit.
The 51st Assembly District stands in solidarity with our Armenian American neighbors. We will continue to oppose hate, denialism, and injustice, and we will continue to honor the memory of those lost while advocating for human rights, dignity, and accountability everywhere.”
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur serves as the Democratic Caucus Chair for the California State Assembly and represents the 51st Assembly District, which includes Universal City, Hollywood, Hancock Park, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and other portions of Los Angeles.
