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GREATER WASHINGTON DC AREA ARMENIAN AMERICANS REMEMBER SUMGAIT, KIROVABAD AND BAKU POGROMS
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/03/01/greater-washington-dc-area-armenian-americans-remember-sumgait-kirovabad-and-baku-pogroms/
12:31 01.03.2013
Shouting "We Remember Sumgait" and "Justice for Gurgen Margaryan,"
Greater Washington, DC area Armenian Americans braved freezing
temperatures today to commemorate the victims of twenty-five years
of Azerbaijani violence and to stand in solidarity with the people
of the independent Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, in their effort to
secure a fair and lasting peace.
The protest, organized by the Greater Washington, DC Armenian Youth
Federation "Ani" Chapter and the St. Mary's Armenian Church Youth
Organization of America (ACYOA), took place in front of the Azerbaijani
Embassy and coincided with February 27-29,1988, 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, where they
demolished thousands of intricately carved cross-stones (Khatchkars).
"In February, 1988, the Karabakh legislature's democratic action to
reunite with Armenia was met with the brutal pogroms in Azerbaijan's
second largest city, Sumgait," said AYF Ani Chapter Chairwoman Narineh
Abrahamian, who was among those leading chants during the protest.
"Twenty five years later, the Azerbaijani government's threats and
violence continue unabated, with Gor Kazaryan the latest victim of
sniper fire last week. "We stand in solidarity with the people of
independent Artsakh - committed to ensuring that their fundamental
right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is not quashed
by the dictatorial Aliyev regime."
Following the protest, Soorp Khatch Armenian Church pastor, Fr. Sarkis
Aktavoukian led activists in a prayer in honor of the Sumgait,
Kirovabad, and Baku victims.
In a surprise move, Azerbaijani groups abandoned their annual
counter-protest in defense of their ambassador and embassy.
Previously, flag-wearing Azerbaijani and Turkish protesters jovially
celebrated the Sumgait atrocities, dishonoring the memory of those
who perished. AYF members had taken additional security measures this
year in the face of the brawl incited by pro-Aliyev youth at a solemn
remembrance of Sumgait victims held at the French National Assembly
earlier this week.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/03/01/greater-washington-dc-area-armenian-americans-remember-sumgait-kirovabad-and-baku-pogroms/
12:31 01.03.2013
Shouting "We Remember Sumgait" and "Justice for Gurgen Margaryan,"
Greater Washington, DC area Armenian Americans braved freezing
temperatures today to commemorate the victims of twenty-five years
of Azerbaijani violence and to stand in solidarity with the people
of the independent Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, in their effort to
secure a fair and lasting peace.
The protest, organized by the Greater Washington, DC Armenian Youth
Federation "Ani" Chapter and the St. Mary's Armenian Church Youth
Organization of America (ACYOA), took place in front of the Azerbaijani
Embassy and coincided with February 27-29,1988, 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, where they
demolished thousands of intricately carved cross-stones (Khatchkars).
"In February, 1988, the Karabakh legislature's democratic action to
reunite with Armenia was met with the brutal pogroms in Azerbaijan's
second largest city, Sumgait," said AYF Ani Chapter Chairwoman Narineh
Abrahamian, who was among those leading chants during the protest.
"Twenty five years later, the Azerbaijani government's threats and
violence continue unabated, with Gor Kazaryan the latest victim of
sniper fire last week. "We stand in solidarity with the people of
independent Artsakh - committed to ensuring that their fundamental
right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is not quashed
by the dictatorial Aliyev regime."
Following the protest, Soorp Khatch Armenian Church pastor, Fr. Sarkis
Aktavoukian led activists in a prayer in honor of the Sumgait,
Kirovabad, and Baku victims.
In a surprise move, Azerbaijani groups abandoned their annual
counter-protest in defense of their ambassador and embassy.
Previously, flag-wearing Azerbaijani and Turkish protesters jovially
celebrated the Sumgait atrocities, dishonoring the memory of those
who perished. AYF members had taken additional security measures this
year in the face of the brawl incited by pro-Aliyev youth at a solemn
remembrance of Sumgait victims held at the French National Assembly
earlier this week.