Burbank Police Say Email Reading "You Aren’t Welcome Here. This Is Why the F---ing Turks Killed Your Families" Does Not Constitute a Crime
UPDATE: The Armenian Report has updates on the story published five days ago regarding a hate speech incident in Burbank, California. Armenian-American developers received a chilling email that read, "You Aren’t Welcome Here. This Is Why the F---ing Turks Killed Your Families."
The Armenian Report reached out to all five Burbank City Councilmembers: Mayor Nick Schultz, Vice Mayor Nikki Perez, and Councilmembers Konstantine Anthony, Tamala Takahashi, and Zizette Mullins. Of the five, only Vice Mayor Nikki Perez responded. Here is her statement:
“While I have not personally seen the email, I am aware of its disturbing contents, and I want to make it clear that I wholeheartedly denounce this very clear anti-Armenian hate speech. Racism towards the Armenian community is prevalent, and I stand with our Armenian community, knowing this incident brings up painful scars from the Armenian Genocide and the ongoing attacks on Armenia today. As Vice Mayor, it is incredibly disturbing to witness this type of hate speech. I will continue to work with local Armenian community organizations, local leaders, and our police department to ensure we denounce hate speech, recognize the importance of acknowledging the Genocide, and prioritize the safety of Armenian community members.”
In addition, the City of Burbank provided the following statement on behalf of the Council:
“The City of Burbank firmly believes that every person, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, or religion, deserves to live in dignity, freedom, and equality—free from discrimination, racism, or hate speech. The City unequivocally denounces all forms of hate, intolerance, and violence. The large Armenian community—including residents, businesses, and entrepreneurs—contributes significantly to Burbank’s character and success. Ensuring their safety, along with the safety of all residents, remains a top priority. The hateful speech directed at the developers of Butterfly Gardens, especially given the painful history of the Armenian Genocide, is deeply troubling and unacceptable. The City is taking this matter seriously, and the report filed with the Burbank Police Department will be thoroughly investigated. Respecting and valuing each other’s histories and backgrounds is essential to fostering a community that honors our shared humanity. The City of Burbank is committed to upholding these values and ensuring that hate has no home here.”
On Tuesday, December 10, the City of Burbank held its City Council meeting where the incident was addressed by four Councilmembers. Mayor Nick Schultz was not present. Armenian community members also spoke during the meeting, denouncing and expressing their outrage over the hate speech email.
Councilmember Konstantine Anthony appeared genuinely angered by the situation, insisting this is not an isolated incident and emphasizing that hate towards Armenians is ongoing. While other Councilmembers also denounced the hate speech and stated that hate has no place in Burbank, they deferred action to the Burbank Police Department. Councilmember Zizette Mullins said she immediately reached out to the Rancho community, which issued a statement. She further emphasized the city’s zero-tolerance policy for hate and pledged to address this issue.
A Rancho resident spoke during the meeting, stating that the individual who sent the email does not reside in the Rancho community. However, The Armenian Report has confirmed through sources that this individual does, in fact, live in the Rancho neighborhood, despite claims to the contrary.
The Armenian Report also received a statement from the Burbank Police Department:
“The Burbank Police Department takes this matter seriously. The incident was reported and investigated. However, it was determined the contents of the email did not meet the elements of a crime. All parties involved have been contacted by the detective and were advised.”
The Armenian Report spoke with local school teachers about how hate speech is addressed in schools. All confirmed that, depending on the severity, hate speech does result in disciplinary action. This raises questions about why similar standards do not apply outside the school system.
Finally, we received a statement from the developers of Butterfly Gardens:
“We were pleased to hear the Burbank City Council publicly denounce the racist attacks against us at their December 10th meeting. Councilmember Anthony acknowledged the struggles that the Armenian community has endured in Burbank and beyond, and that anti-Armenian sentiment remains an ongoing issue. We thank him and the entire Council for standing with the Armenian community.
Some members of the Council agreed that the hateful rhetoric and attitudes in the Rancho extend beyond the one racist email. Based on our personal experiences, we believe dismissing this incident as isolated is a failure. Leaders of the opposition to our project have a responsibility to address the hate and bias that permeates portions of the Rancho community.
We hope leaders of the opposition and other influential voices in the Rancho will have honest and meaningful conversations with their neighbors about embracing diversity and inclusivity. More work needs to be done, and while change takes time, we are committed to making Burbank a safer, more inclusive community for all. Hate and racism have no place in our community.”
The approval of a 40-unit condominium project in Burbank’s Rancho neighborhood has sparked heated tensions, revealing blatant racism and hate speech towards Armenians. Developers Garen Gozumian and Hrach Boyajian of Butterfly Gardens LLC have endured years of resistance and hostility. Last Sunday, they received a chilling email invoking the Armenian Genocide, reading: “You aren’t welcome here. This is why the fu@%ing Turks killed your families.”
The hateful email is just the latest in a series of hostile incidents faced by the developers, including public outbursts, verbal abuse, and even physical intimidation. Despite efforts to engage with the community, the developers have encountered persistent opposition fueled, they believe, by prejudice against their heritage.
Friends of the Equestrian Bridge, a group opposing the project, issued a statement condemning the hate speech but dismissed the email as an isolated incident. On social media, some residents downplayed the harm caused by the email, further frustrating the developers.
For Gozumian, this email confirmed long-held suspicions that opposition was rooted in prejudice. He calls for stronger leadership and meaningful dialogue to address racism and misinformation. The Armenian Report will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as they become available.
