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Protest action honoring memory of Sumgait victims held in Washington
March 01, 2014 | 16:48
WASHINGTON, DC. - Braving sub-freezing temperatures, Greater
Washington area Armenian-Americans honored the memory of the victims
of Azerbaijani aggression and pledged ongoing solidarity with the
freedom-loving people of Artsakh, at a February 28th protest held in
front of the Azerbaijani Embassy, ANCA reported.
The demonstration, organized by the Washington Armenian Youth
Federation (AYF) Ani Chapter and St. Mary's Armenian Church Youth
Organization (ACYO), coincided with the 26th anniversary of the
Azerbaijani pogroms against the Armenian population of Sumgait, which
set the stage for attacks in Baku in 1990 and a cycle of anti-Armenian
violence that continues to this day.
The demonstrators called special attention to the brutal axe-murder of
Armenian Lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan, as the nation marks the 10th
anniversary of his slaying by convicted Azerbaijani soldier Lt. Ramil
Safarov. In a move that stunned the international community,
Azerbaijani dictator Ilham Aliyev pardoned, promoted and praised
Safarov upon extradition to his homeland in 2012. The AYF global
social media awareness campaign last week, #Justice4Margaryan, called
attention to this travesty, attracting the participation of thousands,
including U.S. Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), David Cicilline
(D-RI) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ).
"Today, we gather at the Azerbaijani Embassy to remember those who
perished in the Sumgait, Kirovabad, and Baku massacres between
1988-1990," explained AYF Ani Chapter Chairman Hagop Simonian. "If we
do not remember and spread awareness of these atrocities, events such
as the axe-murder of Lt. Gurgen Margaryan and the recent killing of
Jr. Sergeant Armen Hovhannisyan will continue to occur again and
again. Sadly, the dictatorial Aliyev regime celebrates the deaths of
these Armenian deaths, and rewards their murderers. We, as
Armenian-Americans, must use our first amendment right to educate the
world of these crimes."
A small group of Azerbaijani counter-protesters jeered as St. Mary's
Armenian Church pastor, Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan led Armenian community
members in prayer in memory of those who perished in the Azerbaijani
pogroms. Police were forced to escort one Azerbaijani provocateur,
after he approached Armenian protesters and struck one with a sign.
Many of the Azerbaijani protesters were making the iconic "Grey Wolf"
sign, signaling solidarity with the Turkish ultra-nationalist and
neo-fascist youth organization accused of political killings.
http://news.am/eng/news/196837.html
March 01, 2014 | 16:48
WASHINGTON, DC. - Braving sub-freezing temperatures, Greater
Washington area Armenian-Americans honored the memory of the victims
of Azerbaijani aggression and pledged ongoing solidarity with the
freedom-loving people of Artsakh, at a February 28th protest held in
front of the Azerbaijani Embassy, ANCA reported.
The demonstration, organized by the Washington Armenian Youth
Federation (AYF) Ani Chapter and St. Mary's Armenian Church Youth
Organization (ACYO), coincided with the 26th anniversary of the
Azerbaijani pogroms against the Armenian population of Sumgait, which
set the stage for attacks in Baku in 1990 and a cycle of anti-Armenian
violence that continues to this day.
The demonstrators called special attention to the brutal axe-murder of
Armenian Lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan, as the nation marks the 10th
anniversary of his slaying by convicted Azerbaijani soldier Lt. Ramil
Safarov. In a move that stunned the international community,
Azerbaijani dictator Ilham Aliyev pardoned, promoted and praised
Safarov upon extradition to his homeland in 2012. The AYF global
social media awareness campaign last week, #Justice4Margaryan, called
attention to this travesty, attracting the participation of thousands,
including U.S. Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), David Cicilline
(D-RI) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ).
"Today, we gather at the Azerbaijani Embassy to remember those who
perished in the Sumgait, Kirovabad, and Baku massacres between
1988-1990," explained AYF Ani Chapter Chairman Hagop Simonian. "If we
do not remember and spread awareness of these atrocities, events such
as the axe-murder of Lt. Gurgen Margaryan and the recent killing of
Jr. Sergeant Armen Hovhannisyan will continue to occur again and
again. Sadly, the dictatorial Aliyev regime celebrates the deaths of
these Armenian deaths, and rewards their murderers. We, as
Armenian-Americans, must use our first amendment right to educate the
world of these crimes."
A small group of Azerbaijani counter-protesters jeered as St. Mary's
Armenian Church pastor, Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan led Armenian community
members in prayer in memory of those who perished in the Azerbaijani
pogroms. Police were forced to escort one Azerbaijani provocateur,
after he approached Armenian protesters and struck one with a sign.
Many of the Azerbaijani protesters were making the iconic "Grey Wolf"
sign, signaling solidarity with the Turkish ultra-nationalist and
neo-fascist youth organization accused of political killings.
http://news.am/eng/news/196837.html