Truth And Accountability League (TAAL) Launches ‘Armenians Against Hate’ Campaign with LA County
TAAL, LA County’s Commission on Human Relations, and LA vs Hate held a Virtual Press Conference on Thursday, March 14, to Announce the Launch of Public Service Announcements, Combating Anti-Armenian Hate Incidents and Crimes in Los Angeles County.
LOS ANGELES, CA – March 14, 2024 – The Truth And Accountability League (TAAL), in partnership with the LA County Commission on Human Relations (LACCHR) and LA vs. Hate, will hold a virtual press conference to launch their ‘Armenians Against Hate’ public service announcements (PSAs).
The virtual press conference was held today at noon via Zoom. Speakers include Vic Gerami, TAAL Founder and Chair, Robin Toma, LACCHR Executive Director, Marc Beaart, Director of Fraud & Corruption Prosecutions, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Zarik Hacopian, featured in PSA NO. 1, and Henrick Vartanian, featured in PSA NO. 2.
The PSAs, produced by TAAL, include interviews with victims of anti-Armenian hate acts who encourage the public to report such incidents and get help at LAvsHate.org or call 211.
The most recent comprehensive report of hate crimes in LA County showed that in 2022, hate crimes of all types rose to the 2nd highest level ever recorded. Hate crimes against Armenians rose 200% but were small in number, going from 2 in 2021 to 6 in 2022, reflecting that many anti-Armenian crimes and hate incidents are not reported.
The objective of the PSAs is to create awareness about anti-Armenian racism, Armenophobia, and hate acts, educate the public, and empower them to respond and report such incidents proactively. They will air on network and public TV, publication and partner websites, and social media.
Los Angeles County, California’s estimated 2024 population is 9,539,730, with a growth rate of -0.94% in the past year, according to the most recent United States census data. LA County is one of the most diverse regions and is also home to the second-largest Armenian diaspora in the world.
This is TAAL’s third collaboration with LACCHR and LA vs Hate. A Town Hall to address the rise in anti-Armenian hate crimes in LA County, including the anti-Armenian flyers posted in Glendale in March and similar ones in Beverly Hills a month earlier, calling for the massacre of Armenians, and general hate incidents against different groups was their first project.
Leading LA County elected officials, dignitaries, civic leaders, and community members gathered on Thursday, May 4, 2023, for the Truth And Accountability League (TAAL) anti-racism Town Hall at the Glendale Central Library.
TAAL’s second collaboration with the LACCHR saw the design of the ‘Armenians Against Hate’ poster.
‘I have not witnessed this degree of anti-Armenian bigotry and Armenophobia ever in my life as we are seeing unfold in LA County and beyond. As the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide approaches, we are reminded to be vigilant to the spread of prejudice and proactively combat it to keep our communities safe,’ said Vic Gerami, TAAL founder. He added, ‘The recent hysterical reaction from some parents and members of the community about the Los Angeles and Glendale School Districts’ LGBTQ+ inclusionary curriculum has added another layer of prejudice for Armenians who happen to be queer.’
He continued, ‘I’m grateful for producing these PSAs with help from Robin Toma at the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations, LA vs Hate, and his entire team. LA is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and hatred affects all of us. Our partnership is a testament that we are all in this together regardless of ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex. Bigots prey on everyone.’
‘The Armenian American community is such an essential part of our LA County community, but the amount of discrimination and negative stereotyping they’ve experienced is too often understated because it is underreported,’ said Robin Toma, Executive Director of the LA County Commission on Human Relations. When people report hate to LAvsHate.org or 211, we can provide free multilingual, confidential help, and most importantly, that information will help us prevent hate from happening to others.’ These sentiments were also shared by LA County District Attorney George Gascón and LA County Supervisor for the Fifth District, Kathryn Barger.
‘In a time where the Armenian community in Los Angeles County is facing an unprecedented increase in hate crimes, it’s more important than ever for us to come together and combat this wave of bigotry and Armenophobia,’ said Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón. ‘My office is unwavering in its commitment to justice and equality, and we are using every tool at our disposal to charge and prosecute those who perpetrate these heinous acts. Our involvement in the ‘Armenians Against Hate’ initiative underscores our resolve to not only stop hate in its tracks, but to hold offenders accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Hate has no sanctuary in LA County.’
‘I am thrilled that TAAL and Los Angeles County are partnering to spread the important message that anti-Armenian hate acts will not be tolerated in our communities,’ said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose district includes the largest population of Armenians living outside of Armenia. ‘This collaboration is one way our County is stepping up to protect the rights of Armenians and shows that we stand in solidarity with our Armenian community.’
Zarik Hacopian, one of the victims of anti-Armenian hate incidents who is featured in one of TAAL’s PSAs, said the following about her experience. ‘I would say people need to speak up and stand up against this kind of hate. Because if we don’t, the cycle will continue and will just worsen. So, speak up. If it ever happens to you, speak up.’
Henrick Vartanian, another hate-crime victim featured in a PSA, said, ‘You don’t have to get into a fight or scuffle with a person, but you should report it. You should make that known because it’s not acceptable.’
