California Assembly Resolution 25: Who Voted, What It Means, and What Turkish Americans Must Do Next
On April 21, 2025, the California State Assembly adopted Assembly Resolution 25 (AR25), commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and designating April 24 as a day of remembrance.
While the resolution is symbolic and non-binding, its language aligns with a single narrative that many Turkish Americans view as historically incomplete and politically charged. This blog breaks down the vote, its implications, and how Turkish Americans should respond.
Voting Summary – Who Supported AR25?
Total Votes in Favor: 11
🔵 Democrats Who Voted Yes:
Patrick Ahrens
Mark Gonzalez
Jacqui Irwin
Maggy Krell
Blanca Pacheco
Darshana Patel
Rick Chavez Zbur
🔴 Republicans Who Voted Yes:
Heath Flora
Tom Lackey
Kate Sanchez
[Fourth Republican – name unlisted in official data]
Absent: 4 (2 Democrats, 2 Republicans – not publicly named)
This bipartisan support reflects the growing political momentum behind Armenian Genocide recognition—often without inclusion of Turkish or alternate historical perspectives.
What Does AR25 Mean for Turkish Americans in California?
Social & Cultural Impact: This resolution reinforces a narrative that often paints Turkish identity in a negative light, potentially affecting how Turkish-American youth are perceived in schools and communities.
Educational Consequences: Resolutions like AR25 pave the way for one-sided education curricula that label Ottoman-era events as genocide—without historical nuance or debate.
Political Visibility: The absence of any opposition to AR25 shows a lack of political representation for Turkish perspectives in California state politics.
Can AR25 Be Reversed?
Because AR25 is a non-binding resolution (not a law), it cannot be “repealed” like a statute. However:
*Counter-resolutions can be proposed.
*Lawmakers can be educated to introduce balanced or contextualized resolutions in future sessions.
*School boards and curriculum committees can still be approached to ensure educational balance.
The most powerful strategy is to prevent future one-sided measures by building awareness, relationships, and advocacy power.
What Turkish Americans in California Should Do:
Engage Your Local Representative
Reach out—especially to those who voted for AR25—and explain how this narrative impacts your community.
Attend School Board Meetings
Demand historical balance in curriculum materials and provide alternative scholarly sources.
Organize Turkish-American Advocacy Teams
Each district should have at least one community member watching legislation and initiating dialogue.
Support PAC Efforts
TC-USA PAC and local advocacy groups need funding to publish materials, host events, and engage officials.
Tell Your Story
Share personal experiences, write letters to editors, and submit op-eds about how biased narratives affect your family and identity.
California’s adoption of AR25 may feel symbolic to some, but to Turkish Americans, it represents another step toward institutionalizing a historical account that excludes them. Silence is no longer an option.
It’s time to push for nuance, demand fairness, and advocate with unity. The future of how history is told—and how communities are treated—depends on it.