1 RESOLUTION NO. 23-29,408
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BURBANK CONDEMNING AZERBAIJAN’S BLOCKADE OF
ARTSAKH AND ANTI-ARMENIAN SENTIMENT TOWARDS
THE ARMENIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK FINDS:
A. Since December 12, 2022, in direct contravention of the November 9th, 2020, ceasefire agreement, Azerbaijan has maintained an illegal blockade of the Lachin/Berdzor corridor, Artsakh’s only remaining lifeline to Armenia.
B. Azerbaijan continued human rights abuses, including but not limited to indiscriminately shutting off and turning back on the gas supply to Artsakh is having devastating effects on the population, as they rely on gas as their primary source of heating, hot water, power, and fuel for automobiles during brutal winter temperatures.
C. Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade, under the guise of eco- activism, has halted all access to food, medicine, and other life sustaining supplies to the 120,000 native Armenians in Artsakh out of which 33,000 are children.
D. Azerbaijan, in flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement from November 9, 2020, has since launched unprovoked attacks on sovereign Armenian territory, and continues to illegally hold over 100 Armenian Prisoners of War in Azerbaijan, where they are being subjected to torture.
E. On January 28th, 2023, community members of the City of Beverly Hills found anti- Armenian flyers posted around the city and its vicinity, ahead of an Armenian Youth Federation march to protest Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh. The flyers read, “Azerbaijan + Turkey + Pakistan + Israel = 4 brothers will wipe Armenia off the map Inshallah!!!!”.
F. The flyers are offensive and insensitive. More detrimental, is that they may incite physical violence and racist rhetoric against the Armenian American residents of the City of Beverly Hills and its greater community of residents of Armenian heritage in the County of Los Angeles.
G. This action sets a dangerous precedent for community members of Armenian heritage who may currently struggle with trauma or loss from events prior or after the 2020 Artsakh War.
H. This action poses a threat to the individual rights and public safety of res idents of Armenian heritage in local neighborhoods.
23-29,408
2 THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK RESOLVES:
1. The City Council condemns Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor and demand the blockade be immediately lifted and stands in solidarity with the thousands of Burbank residents of Armenian heritage whose families, friends, and loved ones may be impacted by the violence in Artsakh.
2. The City Council condemns Azerbaijan’s contempt for rule of law, democracy, and human rights.
3. The City Council calls upon the United States Department of State to suspend military aid to Azerbaijan.
4. The City Council acknowledges the millions of residents of Armenian heritage in the United States who have played a significant role in the development of our neighborhoods and improvement of modern society.
5. The City Council celebrates the rich diversity of its community and recognizes the thousands of colleagues, employees, neighbors, and families of Armenian heritage.
6. The City Council stands in solidarity with its Armenian American community and their families and relatives in Armenia and Artsakh.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 14th day of February, 2023.
_ s/Konstantine Anthony________
Konstantine Anthony
Mayor
Approved as to Form:
Attest: Office of the City Attorney
_s/Kimberley Clark_________ By: _s/Joseph H. McDougall_____ Kimberley Clark, City Clerk Joseph H. McDougall City Attorney
23-29,408
3 STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
CITY OF BURBANK )
I, Kimberley Clark, City Clerk of the City of Burbank, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly passed and adopted by a vote of the Council of the City of Burbank at its regular meeting held on the 14th day of February 2023, by the following vote:
_s/Kimberley Clark__________
Kimberley Clark, City Clerk
AYES: Mullins, Perez, Takahashi, Schultz, and Anthony.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.