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Statement on Vandalism at Armenian Community Institutions

January 29, 2019

I have been informed that Turkish flags have been posted outside and inside of the Holy Martyrs Ferrahian High School, and other Armenian schools and churches in Southern California.

I strongly condemn this hateful act of vandalism. It is particularly cruel to those whose family members died in the Armenian Genocide.

I call on law enforcement to make arresting the vandals a high priority.

These incidents may constitute a violation of federal hate-crimes statutes. See 18 U.S.C. Section 247.

Accordingly, I will urge the FBI to investigate this hate crime and federal prosecutors to prosecute to the full extent of the law.