A group of protesters successfully blocked all eastbound lanes on the Ventura (134) Freeway at the Golden State (5) interchange in Glendale on Wednesday evening.
According to KCAL, the California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert at 9 p.m. for the eastbound Ventura Freeway at Central Avenue after multiple big rigs and individuals obstructed all eastbound lanes on the freeway.
Fortunately, after several hours, the big rig that was being used to block the interchange drove away around 11 p.m., allowing the backed-up interchange to reopen.
In response to the protest, the CHP also had to close the transition road from the eastbound Ventura Freeway to the northbound Golden State Freeway.
The protests began at Burbank City Hall and subsequently moved to the interchange of the Ventura and Golden State freeways, as well as the Hollywood (101) Freeway at Vineland Avenue.
Notable signs were displayed on the freeway, with messages such as “Adam Schiff Don’t Ignore Us” and “Open the Road to Life,” as reported by KCAL.
The protest was organized by a group called “Rally for Life,” expressing their dissatisfaction with Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from Burbank, according to KCAL’s information from the Burbank Police Department. The group claims that Schiff hasn’t taken sufficient action to address the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, a crucial mountain road connecting Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
Since December 12, Azerbaijan has imposed a blockade on the Lachin Corridor following conflicts along the Azerbaijan-Armenia border, resulting in numerous casualties. The blockade has obstructed the delivery of essential supplies, humanitarian aid, and outside support to approximately 120,000 civilians in the area.
Schiff, among other authors, drafted a congressional resolution condemning the blockade and urging the United States and the international community to appeal to the United Nations Security Council and other relevant international bodies for the investigation of any potential war crimes committed by Azerbaijani forces.
In a statement released on Monday, Schiff emphasized, “Since the onset of the Lachin Corridor blockade, I have been continuously urging the White House, the State Department, and USAID to take action in safeguarding the people of Artsakh and their right to self-determination.
“With Azerbaijan’s refusal to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide essential humanitarian aid and transport critically ill patients out of Artsakh, it becomes increasingly crucial for the international community to step in and find a lasting solution to the conflict. I have persistently called for Azerbaijan to lift the blockade and permit the free movement of humanitarian aid through the Lachin Corridor. I have also urged President Biden to promptly address the dire situation in Artsakh.
“From condemning ceasefire violations and advocating for the release of Armenian prisoners of war to calling for sanctions and accountability for Azerbaijan, I have remained unwavering in my commitment to protecting the fundamental rights of the people of Artsakh.
“As a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, I have also pushed for international action to peacefully resolve this crisis. If we genuinely stand for democracy and human rights, we must acknowledge the independence of the Republic of Artsakh and oppose the ethnic cleansing and genocide threats faced by the Armenian community in their ancestral homeland.
“By utilizing all available tools, including advocating for U.S. humanitarian aid to Artsakh, discontinuing military and other assistance to Azerbaijan, and imposing sanctions on those responsible for this crisis, we can ensure the safety of Artsakh both now and in the future.
“I will be alongside you throughout this journey and will always support the people of Armenia and Artsakh.”
USAID stands for United States Agency for International Development, the federal agency primarily tasked with administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance.
While the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s territory is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, Armenians refer to it as Artsakh.
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