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Greater DC Community Condemns Azerbaijani Aggression
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/03/07/greater-dc-community-condemns-azerbaijani-aggression/
March 7, 2013
Remembers Sumgait, Kirovabad And Baku Pogroms
WASHINGTON - Shouting `We Remember Sumgait' and `Justice for Gurgen
Margaryan,' Greater Washington, D.C. area Armenian-Americans braved
freezing temperatures recently to commemorate the victims of 25 years
of Azerbaijani violence and to stand in solidarity with the people of
the independent Republic of Nagorno Karabagh in their efforts to
secure a fair and lasting peace.
A scene from the protest in front of the Azerbaijani Embassy in
Washington, D.C., commemorating the Sumgait, Baku, Kirovabad pogroms
The protest, organized by the Greater Washington, D.C. Armenian Youth
Federation (AYF) `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 the Feb. 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 thousands of intricately carved cross-stones
(khatchkars) have been demolished.
`In February 1988, the Karabagh 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. 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 in March.
From: Baghdasarian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/03/07/greater-dc-community-condemns-azerbaijani-aggression/
March 7, 2013
Remembers Sumgait, Kirovabad And Baku Pogroms
WASHINGTON - Shouting `We Remember Sumgait' and `Justice for Gurgen
Margaryan,' Greater Washington, D.C. area Armenian-Americans braved
freezing temperatures recently to commemorate the victims of 25 years
of Azerbaijani violence and to stand in solidarity with the people of
the independent Republic of Nagorno Karabagh in their efforts to
secure a fair and lasting peace.
A scene from the protest in front of the Azerbaijani Embassy in
Washington, D.C., commemorating the Sumgait, Baku, Kirovabad pogroms
The protest, organized by the Greater Washington, D.C. Armenian Youth
Federation (AYF) `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 the Feb. 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 thousands of intricately carved cross-stones
(khatchkars) have been demolished.
`In February 1988, the Karabagh 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. 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 in March.
From: Baghdasarian