In late September 2020, a vigorous war broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan near the alpine territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, an area populated by Artsakh Armenians. The result was a genocidal turning of events reminiscent of the original "Armenian Genocide of 1915." A tragic occurrence where the murder of nearly 1 million Armenians set off the migration of the country's diaspora to regions all over the world, such as France, Ukraine, Canada, Brazil, and the United States. By the late 1980s, over 30,000 descendants of "Armenian Genocide (1915)" survivors settled in the city of Glendale (Los Angeles County) to develop one of their largest communities outside of Armenia. Since then, the town has produced its fair share of stars like System of a Down and R-Mean, who worked hard to bring more awareness to the "Nagorno-Karabakh conflict of 2020" and the brutality facing their countrymen. With the help of other Armenian American celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Cher, the urgent matter garnered support from non-Armenian stars like Diddy, Reggie Bush, Sean Penn, and Cardi B while also receiving affirmation from President Joe Biden. Eventually, a ceasefire agreement was reached in the second week of November 2020. Throughout the conflict, Glendale, California, was the epicenter of protests, outreach programs, social campaigns and grassroots efforts, but unfortunately, the battle for freedom is ongoing. 

On December 12, 2023, Azerbaijan initiated a blockade of the Lachin Corridor, which prevented humanitarian supplies like medicine and food from reaching the people of Artsakh, therefore, creating widespread hunger and a shortage that has remained steadfast for over 200 days and counting. In an effort to encourage the U.S. government and local officials to investigate Azerbaijan for war crimes, a group of Armenian-Americans and their supporters blocked off the eastbound lanes of the Ventura 134 Freeday in Glendale with big rig trucks. The peaceful demonstrators also marched to Congressman Adam Schiff's house in the neighboring city of Pasadena because he currently serves as the co-chair of the US Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus, and they do not believe that he has done enough to reopen the Lachin Corridor. The peaceful protests have been going strong for three days. Although UN experts have expressed their desire for Azerbaijan to remove the blockade, the troubling conflict has not been resolved. 

For more on the Blockade of Artsakh, stay tuned.

Source: YouTube