US campus protests: police enter Columbia university after pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupy building – live https://t.co/h75U34vsXo
— Guardian news (@guardiannews) May 1, 2024
Day: April 30, 2024
WATCH LIVE: NYPD given permission to enter Columbia University campus amid protests https://t.co/Cps2Va3fSl https://t.co/ef4F8ql2hc
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 1, 2024
April 24th March for Justice participants demand the Biden administration stop military aid to Azerbaijan, sanction Azerbaijan’s leaders for war crimes and support the safe and dignified return of Artsakh’s forcibly displaced population.
WASHINGTON—On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, as the world marked Armenian Genocide Justice Day, the Armenian Youth Federation – Youth Organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Washington D.C. “Ani” chapter (AYF “Ani” Chapter) led a powerful “March for Justice” through the streets of the nation’s capital, condemning Turkey and Azerbaijan’s genocide against the Armenians from 1915-1923 and its continuation in Artsakh in 2023 and onward. Starting from the Embassy of Azerbaijan, the marchers proceeded past the Embassy of Turkey to their final destination – the White House – where they called on the Biden administration to end U.S. military aid and sanction Azerbaijan for its genocidal actions and to lead efforts to secure the safe and dignified return of Artsakh Armenians, under international protection.
The Republic of Artsakh flag winds its way down the streets of the nation’s capital, held proudly by the students and teachers of the KZV Armenian School (San Francisco, CA) and Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School (Sherman Oaks, CA) during the April 24, 2024 March for Justice.
AYF “Ani” Chapter chair Galy Jackmakjian offered opening remarks at the Azerbaijani Embassy, emphasizing the existential challenges facing present-day Armenia, particularly the Aliyev regime’s genocidal ethnic cleansing of Artsakh. She echoed the sentiments of Armenians worldwide, but left the crowd feeling empowered. “Today, we stand strong as the protectors of our nation – the sword and the shield – reborn with a spirit of righteous vengeance, determined to safeguard our heritage and secure a bright future for generations to come,” stated Jackmakjian.
The March for Justice went from the Azerbaijani Embassy past the Turkish Embassy and to the White House, with a Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department escort.
Homenetmen Washington Scout Troop 1918 and AYF “Ani” Chapter member Maria Stepanyan called participants to action, exclaiming, “…let us sacrifice…five minutes out of every day, not only for the future, so that our sons and daughters still have a place to call home, but for the present, for every single boy who is protecting our uncertain borders today.”
AYF-YOARF D.C. “Ani” Chapter chair Galy Jackmakjian leads the rally at the White House.
The uniformed Homenetmen Washington Scout Troop 1918 color guard then kicked off and led marchers in a strong expression of remembrance, defiance and solidarity, bringing together the Armenian community of Washington, D.C.
Homenetmen Washington D.C. Scout Troop 1918 color guard lead the March for Justice
The marchers continued down “Embassy Row” and reached Sheridan Circle, the site of the Turkish ambassador’s residence where President Erdogan ordered an attack on peaceful protesters in 2017. Genocide deniers – waving Turkish flags and making gestures in support of the “Grey Wolves” hate group – celebrated the crimes of 1915 and praised Armenia Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s unilateral concessions to Azerbaijan, chanting, “Pashinyan, Pashinyan.”
Genocide deniers holding a counter-protest, brandishing the “Grey Wolves” symbols of racism and hate.
Meghri Aguilian, Homenetmen scout and chair of the AYF “Sevan” Junior Chapter, stood strong against Turkish taunts. She recounted stories of her great-grandmother Takouhi, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide, as bystanders stopped to listen to her words. “And when the enemy demands I forget, I will shout even when my throat is sore. I will proudly carry my flag even when my arms hurt from the heavy strain. I will march even when I’ve grown old. I will protest until I wither away. I will pass on the story of my great-grandmother to my children and grandchildren, and they will follow in my footsteps to fight against the neverending injustices against our people,” stated Aguilian.
Meghri Aguilian, AYF-YOARF D.C. “Sevan” Juniors chair and Homenetmen Scout, stands up to taunts by Turkish counter-protesters and shares the powerful story of her great-grandmother Takouhi.
The march culminated at the White House, where participants called out the Biden administration for U.S. complicity in Azerbaijan’s genocidal ethnic cleansing of Artsakh through its military aid to the corrupt Aliyev regime and failure to impose sanctions on Azerbaijani war criminals in the aftermath of the 2020 Artsakh War and 2023 attack and ethnic cleansing of Artsakh.
Former Kansas Senator and Governor and former U.S. Ambassador for Religious Freedom Sam Brownback issued a powerful call on the White House and Congress to take action. “We can’t let a repeat of 1915 happen again in our watch. We call on President Biden to stand up for Armenia. We call on the Congress to stand up for Armenia. We are calling on Congress to stop the export of weaponry from the United States to Azerbaijan.”
Former Kansas Senator, Governor and U.S. Ambassador for Religious Freedom Sam Brownback told March for Justice participants: “We can’t let a repeat of 1915 happen again on our watch.”
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Executive Director Aram Hamparian slammed the Biden administration’s appeasement of Aliyev’s genocidal actions. “President Biden’s record is all too clear: No U.S. leadership to prevent or punish Azerbaijan’s genocide of Artsakh; no U.S.-led U.N. resolution to secure Artsakh’s right to return; no pressure on Azerbaijan to end its occupation of Armenian land; no sanctions on Azerbaijan for illegally holding Armenian POWS; no investigations into Azerbaijani war crimes; not a single step to reverse this reversible genocide.”
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian calls out Biden administration complicity in Azerbaijan’s genocidal ethnic cleansing of Artsakh.
Hamparian then shared presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s powerful pro-Artsakh message issued in remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. “If left without international support, the Armenian Genocide of 1915 will be finalized in the coming weeks and months. We must act now to hold Azerbaijan accountable by calling for the release of the hostages and enforcing sanctions until a safe and viable path for the return of the indigenous Armenians to Artsakh is achieved,” stated Kennedy.
Closing remarks were offered by AYF “Ani” Chapter Hai Tahd Committee chair Sune Hamparian, who lamented that calls for “1915 Never Again” had turned hollow in the face of Turkey and Azerbaijan’s ongoing genocide against the Armenian people. “When will they stop?” she asked. “They will not stop. And we will not sit and wait for them to stop. I cannot sit and wait for the village of Artsvanik, the place I call home, to suffer the same fate as Artsakh.” Hamparian vowed, “We will fight – giving every ounce of ourselves to this cause. We will not bend. We will not bow. We will not break. We will rise and break the cycle of genocide. Gamavor Banak, Harach.”
The “March for Justice” was strengthened once again this year by the participation of students from the Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan (KZV) Armenian School from San Francisco, California, and the C&E Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School from Sherman Oaks, California, joined by their principals, Grace Andonian and Dr. Souzy Ohanian respectively, teachers and parents. During the program at the White House, each school offered its ode to the beauty and resilience of Armenian culture, reciting Antranik Dzarukyan’s “Ookhd Ararati ” and Hamo Sahian’s “Hayastan Aselis.”
Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church Pastor, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, leads protesters in prayer for the 1.5 million sainted martyrs of the Armenian Genocide and for survivors of Azerbaijan’s genocidal ethnic cleansing of Artsakh.
The protest culminated with prayers led by Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church pastor Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian. Finally, the crowd joined esteemed vocalists and musicians, AYF “Ani” Chapter members Alexandra and Lilia Yaralian, in singing “Giligia.” In that moment of unity and solidarity, participants reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the cause, vowing to continue the struggle until justice is served and the Armenian people are able to live in peace on their ancestral lands. As the echoes of the march faded, the resolve of the Armenian community remained steadfast, fueled by the memory of the past and the promise of a brighter future in a free, independent and united Armenia.
Alexandra and Lilia Yaralian lead March for Justice protesters in a moving rendition of “Giligia” in front of the White House.
Author information
AYF DC “Ani” Chapter
Founded in 1942, the AYF Washington DC “Ani” and “Sevan” chapters work to unite Armenian youth and organize activities in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area. The chapter has a Senior (“Ani”) and Junior (“Sevan”) chapter. The Washington DC “Ani” chapter sets out to achieve its goals and objectives throughout the year and hosts events like joint meetings between DMV juniors and juniors in Armenia, protests and other forms of political activism, an annual chapter anniversary dinner and fundraisers to benefit the homeland. The AYF-YOARF’s five pillars (athletic, cultural educational, political, social) guide the chapter and help keep its membership active and at the forefront of the Armenian cause at all times.
| Twitter |
The post Greater Washington Armenian community March for Justice for the Armenian Genocide of 1915-2024 appeared first on The Armenian Weekly.
Categories
NPR News: 04-30-2024 9PM EDT
The Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island (ANC-RI) organized several events during the week of April 24, 2024 commemorating the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and highlighting the genocidal ethnic cleansing of Artsakh by Azerbaijan.
On April 23, the Rhode Island House and Senate legislatures passed their annual Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day resolutions. The House and Senate unanimously passed the resolutions thanks to House Majority Whip Katherine Kazarian and Senator David Tikoian leading the way.
Rev. Fr. Kapriel Nazarian of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church gave the opening prayer in the House, stating that Armenians are not only remembering the Armenian Genocide of 1915 but also the recent genocide in Artsakh and current threats to Armenia from Turkey. Livestreams of the House and Senate resolution readings can be found on the ANC-RI Facebook page.
ANC-RI members and supporters with House Majority Whip Katherine Kazarian and Senator David Tikoian at the RI State House, April 23, 2024
ANC-RI also held its annual flag raising ceremonies on April 26 in North Providence and Cranston to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.
On the sunny spring morning, the ANC-RI ensured that the Armenian flag was raised once again at North Providence Town Hall while honoring Susan Nalbandian Vartian, who has been a resident of the town for over 70 years.
Honoree Susan Vartian entertained the crowd with her remarks, including to her left emcee Dr. Fotini Dionisopoulos, ANC-RI chair Steve Elmasian and RI Governor Dan McKee
North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi welcomed the gathering and administered the Pledge of Allegiance. He then introduced the program’s emcee and ANC-RI member, Dr. Fotini Dionisopoulos. Dr. Dionisopoulos asked Rev. Fr. Nazarian to provide a blessing. Mayor Lombardi followed by recognizing council members, department directors and other town officials who were present.
Addressing the crowd were U.S. Senator Jack Reed, U.S. Representative Gabe Amo, Governor Dan McKee, Secretary of State Gregg Amore and State Senator Tikoian. U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner sent a staff member on his behalf, as he is on paternity leave. Each of the lawmakers expressed their support for Armenians’ neverending cause, as it is the sad reality that the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923 continues to this day.
Dr. Dionisopoulos then offered remarks on behalf of the ANC-RI. She described the activities and programs the ANC-RI undertakes all year long and the importance of supporting the efforts of this grassroots organization. Comments were then made by Mayor Lombardi, who spoke of the significance of this event. He spoke kindly of his family’s close ties to Vartian’s family and presented Vartian with a citation and plaque to commemorate the honoree.
Vartian, whose entire family as well as past and current neighbors were in attendance, spoke of her life as a North Providence resident and thanked everyone for their support. She then raised the Armenian flag, with her grandsons Eddy and Kevin Vartian by her side.
Reverend Hagop Manjelikian of the Armenian Evangelical Church concluded the program with a closing prayer.
Susan Vartian raised the flag with her grandsons Eddy and Kevin assisting
At Cranston City Hall, a crowd of close to 200 gathered on Friday evening for the time-honored ANC-RI flag raising ceremony.
Hagop Taraksian, chairman of the Providence Armenian Youth Federation Chapter, served as the emcee and began the program by recognizing the clergy, elected officials, Homenetmen scouts, guests, honoree Antranig Avakian and host Mayor Kenneth Hopkins. He asked Mayor Hopkins to welcome the crowd, who then handed the mic back to Taraskian to administer the Pledge of Allegiance.
The blessing was given by Rev. Fr. Nazarian, who spoke to the large gathering about the tragic history of the Armenian people, which sadly includes the recent ethnic cleansing and genocide that took place in Artsakh, a land Armenians had called home for 2,000 years.
Addressing the crowd were U.S. Senator Reed, Governor McKee, Treasurer James Diossa, State Senator Tikoian and RI House Majority Whip Kazarian. Also present were former Mayor Allan Fung, State Representative Barbara Ann Fenton Fung and Cranston City Council members Kristen Haroian and Dan Wall.
RI Family Court Magistrate Susan Nahabedian served as guest speaker and spoke of her upbringing in an Armenian home and the significant role that has played in her life to this day. Her upbringing instilled in her hard work, strong moral values and ethics, while keeping the Armenian culture alive – mainly through delicious food.
Then it was time to hear from the youth – three students who spoke about what it means to be an Armenian. They represented the three RI Armenian churches and were an inspiring portion of the program. Each of them offers a promise for the future, and they drew well-deserved applause and admiration from the audience.
Liliana Zeitounian, a fifth grade student at Oak Lawn Elementary School, spoke first. She represented the Armenian Evangelical Church, attends Sunday School and the Mourad Armenian Saturday School, is a Homenetmen scout and does Armenian dance.
Next was 10-year-old Shahen Attarian, a member of the Armenian Youth Federation and Homenetmen scouts, a student at Mourad Armenian Saturday School and an altar boy at Sts. Vartanantz Church.
Lastly, St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Church was represented by 12-year-old Lianna Odabashyan, who attends Armenian school, does Armenian dance and junior choir and is a member of the ACYOA. She also takes art classes at her church and goes to Sunday school.
Mayor Hopkins then presented Antranig “Anto” Avakian with a citation and plaque as this year’s honoree. Avakian has served as chairman of the Board of Trustees at Sts. Vartanantz Church and as a member of the Camp Haiastan Board. He has held many executive positions in the Providence Armenian Youth Federation, of which he is an honorary member, and was chairman of the AYF Central Executive. He earned his master’s degree in education from Rhode Island College and was a special needs educator in New Bedford for 38 years.
The closing prayer was given by Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church. His brothers in Christ, Archpriest Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian and Rev. Fr. Nazarian from Sts. Vartanantz Church and Rev. Manjelikian of the Armenian Evangelical Church, were nearby.
The evening concluded as the Armenian flag was raised with the Homenetmen Scouts serving as honor guard singing Mer Hairenik.
Honoree Anthony “Anto” Avakian flanked by student speakers (l-r) Lianna Odabashyan, Shahen Attarian and Liliana Zeitounian
Refreshments were offered at Sonia’s Deli, owned by Ara Janigian and his sister Sevan Marout. The hosts were pleased that such a large number of people came together to socialize as one Armenian community.
Armenian flag flying over the RI State House, April 23, 2024
Author information
ANC of Rhode Island
The Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island (ANC-RI) has worked tirelessly for decades advocating for all issues of concern to Armenians in Rhode Island, the United States, Armenia and Artsakh. The ANC-RI is responsible for the Armenian flag flying at the RI State House and at every city and town in the state on April 24 each year. Additionally, the ANC-RI holds flag raising ceremonies annually in North Providence and Cranston, where local Armenian residents are honored. The ANC-RI also worked with the RI House of Representatives to be the first government body in the world to officially recognize Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh).
|
The post ANC-RI holds annual Genocide commemoration events appeared first on The Armenian Weekly.