Representatives of the ANCA-WR with L.A. City Councilmember Nithya Raman

Armenian Organizations Gather for Roundtable Addressing Urgent Community Needs

LOS ANGELES– The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region announced its endorsement of incumbent Councilmember Nithya Raman for re-election to Los Angeles City Council District 4 for the 2024 primary election.

Councilmember Raman has served District 4 since she was first elected in 2020 when she unseated then-incumbent Councilmember David Ryu, marking at that point the first time in 17 years that a challenger had ousted a sitting Los Angeles City Councilmember.

Following her election, Councilmember Raman has taken the initiative to educate herself about issues that are important to her Armenian-American constituents and has participated in many events in our community, including a long-planned roundtable discussion with dozens of Armenian organizational leaders on November 7.

In response to Azerbaijan’s multiple attacks on Armenia and Artsakh since her election, Raman has been vocal with her support of the Armenian people in strongly condemning Azerbaijan’s unprovoked military aggression and genocidal acts of ethnic cleansing and calling on the Biden Administration to sanction the Aliyev regime.

ANCA-WR Board Chair Nora Hovsepian Esq. praised Raman for her strong and unwavering support for the Armenian community and for her commitment to human rights and justice.

L.A. Citycouncilmember Nithya Raman with ANCA-WR Board and staff members

“Councilmember Raman has consistently spoken out against Azerbaijan’s aggression and has worked to raise awareness of the plight of the Armenian people. On a local level, she has worked closely with us to amplify our issues and to safeguard and ensure the successful completion of the Armenian Cultural Foundation’s conversion of the firehouse in Encino to a much needed Armenian community center, a decade after the project was first initiated by Councilmember Paul Krekorian and former Councilmembers Eric Garcetti and Paul Koretz. We are proud to endorse her for re-election and look forward to continuing to work with her to advance our shared priorities,” Hovsepian explained.

“I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region. Across the vibrant landscape of Council District 4, I take great pride in representing a vital portion of the Armenian American community in the southern San Fernando Valley, Los Feliz and portions of Hollywood, and their thriving institutions at Los Angeles City Hall,” said Councilmember Raman.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with ANCA-WR and the many inspiring local leaders who are fighting to ensure that Armenian Americans have the support they need here in Los Angeles to sustain and support their community. Especially during this time of unfathomable tragedy in Artsakh, I remain committed to using my voice and platform to uplift the issues facing Armenians and to push for the strongest possible federal response against Azerbaijani aggression,” Raman added.

Los Angeles City Council District 4 ranges from parts of Silver Lake and Los Feliz to the Hollywood Hills, Sherman Oaks to Encino, and parts of Studio City, Van Nuys, and Reseda. The district is home to a large portion of San Fernando Valley’s Armenian-American population, situated in the neighborhoods of Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Encino, and Reseda. District 4 is home to several Armenian-American community institutions, such as Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church, Holy Martyrs Ferrahian High School, and the planned ACF community center in Encino.

A roundtable with Councilmember Raman allowed local community organizations to address issue of importance

Most recently, on November 7, the ANCA-WR, several of its local chapters, and dozens of leaders from major Armenian community organizations all participated in a roundtable discussion organized by ANCA-WR San Fernando Valley West with  Councilmember Raman.

The meeting offered a platform to delve into pressing issues faced by the local Armenian-American community, including exploring avenues through which the City of Los Angeles can tangibly support the 100,000 Artsakh refugees displaced by the humanitarian crisis caused by Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of the region, ensuring Armenian-American community representation in CD4’s staffing and outreach efforts, and ways to counter growing Armenophobia and anti-Armenian sentiment which have emerged as a public safety concern for our community.

Raman expressed her unequivocal support and solidarity with the Armenian people and reaffirmed her commitment to continue to champion Armenian issues within the Los Angeles City Council.

On local issues, Raman also spoke with participating community representatives about pressing issues including homelessness, the rise in violence and property crimes, pathways for community organizations to pursue public grant opportunities, and other urgent public safety concerns.

Most significantly, Raman reiterated and reassured her ongoing support for the Armenian Cultural Foundation’s ongoing Firehouse construction project which upon completion will serve as a vitally important and much-needed Armenian community center in the Valley. Since her election, she has been instrumental in securing permits and funding for the project and is committed as a friend and ally to the Armenian-American community to continuing her efforts in this regard.

Raman began her political career as a Neighborhood Council member, tapping into her professional background as a Harvard and MIT-educated urban planner working to address the growing homeless population within her community. Galvanizing grassroots support, she demonstrated her commitment to making government systems work for the communities they are charged with serving.

To that end, as a member of Los Angeles City Council, Raman has more than tripled available housing programs in Council District 4 for the homeless, and offered plans to make housing more affordable for residents of CD4, including zoning reforms for more multi-family housing units that are more accessible to public transit and major roads, in order to make communities more affordable, accessible, and less congested.

ANCA WR local chapter leader Garo Kamarian expressed gratitude to Raman for her leadership on matters crucial to the Armenian-American community. The roundtable discussion concluded with an engaging question and answer session, during which Councilmember Raman addressed a variety of questions from attendees.

Participating organizations included representatives from the ANCA-WR, ANCA-San Fernando Valley West, ANCA-North Valley, ANCA-Pasadena, Armenian Youth Federation Sardarabad Chapter, Homenetmen Massis Chapter, the ARF Rosdom and Arshavir Shiragian Gomideh, Hamazkayin Cultural Association Barouyr Sevag Chapter, Holy Martyrs Armenian Church, Holy Martyrs Ferrahian School Board and Administration, Armenian Relief Society, and Armenian Relief Society Anahid Chapter.

Primary elections will take place on March 5th, 2024. The general election will be held on November 5th, 2024. Visit hyevotes.org for more voter information.