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DC AREA ARMENIANS MARK SUMGAIT, KIROVABAD AND BAKU MASSACRES
asbarez
Friday, February 24th, 2012
Washington community members protest the unpunished Sumgait Pogroms
Azerbaijani Counter-Protesters Celebrate Ongoing Aggression Against
Armenia
WASHINGTON-Greater Washington area Armenian Americans braved the cold
and rain earlier today to mourn the victims of Azerbaijani aggression
and stand in solidarity with the people of the independent Republic of
Nagorno Karabakh, in their effort to secure a fair and lasting peace.
The silent protest, organized by the Greater Washington, DC Armenian
Youth Federation "Ani" Chapter and the St. Mary's Armenian Church
Youth Organization (ACYO), coincided with the 24th anniversary of
the Azerbaijani pogroms against the Armenian population of Sumgait,
which set the stage for attacks in Baku in 1990, outright Azerbaijani
aggression, and a cycle of anti-Armenian violence that continues
to this day. The demonstrators also called special attention to
Azerbaijan's destruction of the 1,300 year old Armenian cemetery
in Djulfa, Nakhichevan, demolishing thousands of intricately carved
cross-stones (Khatchkars).
"We gathered at the Azerbaijani Embassy to remember those who perished
in Sumgait and Baku, but to also condemn the Aliyev regime's ongoing
threats and attacks against Artsakh and Armenia," said AYF Ani Chapter
Chairwoman Tevin Polatian. "Just this week, another Armenian soldier
was killed by a Azerbaijani sniper - an all too common occurrence
resulting from an international community that turns a blind eye to
Aliyev's military build-up and attacks. We will continue to stand
strong with the Republic of Karabakh, as they continue to defend their
right to self-determination - a fundamental value the that U.S. was
founded upon."
Following the vigil, Soorp Khatch Armenian Church pastor, Fr. Sarkis
Aktavoukian and St. Mary's Armenian Church Pastor, Fr. Hovsep
Karapetyan led activists in a prayer in honor of the Sumgait,
Kirovabad, and Baku victims. Participants lit candles and brought
pictures of those who perished in the massacres - making a memorial
in front of the Azerbaijani Embassy.
In what has now become an expected practice at annual Armenian
Genocide and Sumgait/Baku pogroms commemorative protests, flag-wearing
Azerbaijani and Turkish protesters jovially celebrated the atrocities,
dishonoring the memory of those who perished. This year's counter
protesters included a group of teenagers from a neighborhood home,
who apparently participated as part of an after-school "drinking game."
To view photos, visit the AYF Ani Chapter Facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/AYFDC
asbarez
Friday, February 24th, 2012
Washington community members protest the unpunished Sumgait Pogroms
Azerbaijani Counter-Protesters Celebrate Ongoing Aggression Against
Armenia
WASHINGTON-Greater Washington area Armenian Americans braved the cold
and rain earlier today to mourn the victims of Azerbaijani aggression
and stand in solidarity with the people of the independent Republic of
Nagorno Karabakh, in their effort to secure a fair and lasting peace.
The silent protest, organized by the Greater Washington, DC Armenian
Youth Federation "Ani" Chapter and the St. Mary's Armenian Church
Youth Organization (ACYO), coincided with the 24th anniversary of
the Azerbaijani pogroms against the Armenian population of Sumgait,
which set the stage for attacks in Baku in 1990, outright Azerbaijani
aggression, and a cycle of anti-Armenian violence that continues
to this day. The demonstrators also called special attention to
Azerbaijan's destruction of the 1,300 year old Armenian cemetery
in Djulfa, Nakhichevan, demolishing thousands of intricately carved
cross-stones (Khatchkars).
"We gathered at the Azerbaijani Embassy to remember those who perished
in Sumgait and Baku, but to also condemn the Aliyev regime's ongoing
threats and attacks against Artsakh and Armenia," said AYF Ani Chapter
Chairwoman Tevin Polatian. "Just this week, another Armenian soldier
was killed by a Azerbaijani sniper - an all too common occurrence
resulting from an international community that turns a blind eye to
Aliyev's military build-up and attacks. We will continue to stand
strong with the Republic of Karabakh, as they continue to defend their
right to self-determination - a fundamental value the that U.S. was
founded upon."
Following the vigil, Soorp Khatch Armenian Church pastor, Fr. Sarkis
Aktavoukian and St. Mary's Armenian Church Pastor, Fr. Hovsep
Karapetyan led activists in a prayer in honor of the Sumgait,
Kirovabad, and Baku victims. Participants lit candles and brought
pictures of those who perished in the massacres - making a memorial
in front of the Azerbaijani Embassy.
In what has now become an expected practice at annual Armenian
Genocide and Sumgait/Baku pogroms commemorative protests, flag-wearing
Azerbaijani and Turkish protesters jovially celebrated the atrocities,
dishonoring the memory of those who perished. This year's counter
protesters included a group of teenagers from a neighborhood home,
who apparently participated as part of an after-school "drinking game."
To view photos, visit the AYF Ani Chapter Facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/AYFDC