Armenian Assembly Hosts Armenian Advocacy Briefing for the Fresno Community

Assembly Western Region Director David Ojakian and Director of Development and Membership Mary Jo Bazarian, with members of Fresno’s Armenian community, following the Advocacy Briefing at St. Paul Armenian Church

Fresno, CA – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) held an Advocacy Briefing and Reception at St. Paul Armenian Church in Fresno, CA, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The event brought together the greater Fresno community to provide updates on pro-Armenian issues, current events, and the Assembly’s work.  

Attendees ranged from Fresno-based Armenian Assembly members, Assembly interns and Advocacy Summit Scholarship alumni, members of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan, the Armenian Relief Society, St. Paul parishioners, and the greater community. Prominent community leaders who joined the briefing and reception included former State Senator, the Honorable Chuck Poochigian, Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Berberian Coordinator of Armenian Studies at Fresno State University, and Varoujan Der Simonian, Director of the Armenian Museum of Fresno.  

Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, along with Director of Research and Analysis Robert Avetisyan, provided an overview of key issues and recent developments, including the August 8, 2025, signing of a peace framework between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the White House.

Ardouny highlighted numerous issues, noting that the Assembly was the only Armenian organization to testify in person before Congress this year on key priorities. He emphasized the need for the complete withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from Armenia’s sovereign territory, as well as a comprehensive resolution to the humanitarian crisis caused by the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, while ensuring Armenia’s long-term sovereignty and security. 

Assembly Western Region Director David Ojakian, addressing community members gathered at St. Paul Armenian Church in Fresno

“For more than fifty years, the Armenian Assembly has built bridges between the diaspora and policymakers in Washington,” said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “Seeing Fresno’s Armenian community come together with such energy and commitment reminds us that advocacy begins at the local level.”

Robert Avetisyan elaborated on some of the current priorities the Assembly is focused on advancing, including the release of all Armenian hostages who are facing sham trials in Baku and the right of Armenians to return to their native homeland in Artsakh. He also discussed the current updates from Armenia and the region.

“The United States and international community must remain engaged and hold Azerbaijan accountable for its ongoing violations,” said Assembly Director of Research and Analysis Robert Avetisyan. “The release of Armenian hostages, the right of return for displaced Artsakh Armenians, and the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces and abandonment of anti-Armenian rhetoric by Baku are essential for genuine peace and lasting stability in the South Caucasus.”

Following the updates from Washington, D.C., Assembly Western Region Director David Ojakian shared information about the Assembly’s National Advocacy Summit and newly launched Summit Scholarship Program, which provides travel and hotel accommodations for undergraduate and graduate students to come to Washington, D.C. to advocate for pro-Armenian issues on Capitol Hill. Summit Scholars also attend all briefings, advocacy trainings, and events during the multi-day summit at no cost. Ojakian also informed attendees about what it means to become a member of the Armenian Assembly. He provided an overview of the Assembly’s nearly 50-year-running Terjenian-Thomas Washington, D.C., Internship Program and Yerevan Internship Program.

Ojakian also discussed the current pro-Armenian Congressional legislation and shared more information about the Assembly’s sister organizations—the Armenia Tree Project, which has planted more than 9 million trees in Armenia, and the Armenian National Institute, the foremost site dedicated to the study, research, and affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

“Fresno’s Armenian community has such a rich history, and we were so glad to be back in Fresno to bring together people of all ages and cross-community organizations to inform them about current events and the work and priorities of the Armenian Assembly. The questions from the attendees displayed a true passion and concern for Armenia’s well-being, which requires the attention of all of us,” said Assembly Western Region Director David Ojakian.

The newly launched Armenian Assembly Advocacy Summit Scholarship Program is generously funded by Assembly donors and supporters. Consider contributing towards the development of the next generation of pro-Armenian advocates and support the Scholarship Program here.

Assembly members make the Armenian Assembly’s advocacy, research, and education programs possible. Pledge your support and join a nationwide network of pro-Armenian advocates. To learn more about membership with the Armenian Assembly, please visit the Assembly’s membership page today. Also, consider joining the Assembly’s mailing list to stay up to date on news and events across the country. Stay tuned for more events in the greater Fresno area, California, and across the country. 

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a strictly non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

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