California Governor signs bill making Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day a statewide holiday

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill making April 24 a California statewide holiday. The measure was spearheaded by Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian.

On April 24, all community colleges and public schools throughout California will be allowed to close. State employees will be given time off with pay. The text of the bill explains: “The Legislature finds and declares that Genocide Remembrance Day would be a day for all to reflect on past and present genocides, but especially those that have felt the impact of these atrocities and groups that have found refuge in California, including, but not limited to, the Holocaust, Holodomor, and the Genocides of the Armenian, Assyrian, Greek, Cambodian, and Rwandan communities. Genocide Remembrance Day would be observed annually on April 24, also known as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, during the week the state of California traditionally recognizes Genocide Awareness Week.”