Over 800 people turned out for the Protest for Justice organized by the Armenian Youth Federation – YOARF Eastern Region USA on Saturday, September 19 in front of Armenia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
Displaying Armenian flags and signs protesting the announced protocols for diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia, the crowd chanted slogans in support of the independence of Artsakh, recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey and demanding reparations and restitution of land. Justice Not Protocols was the resounding message.
“We came in the name of Justice. The protocols ask Armenia and the Armenian Nation to give up on what is rightfully theirs; what was taken away from them during the Genocide. These protocols are not only a step backwards for the Armenian Nation but also sets a dangerous precedent at the international stage,” said Lauren DaSilva, AYF-YOARF Eastern USA Central Executive Chairwoman.
Coming from as far away as Racine and Chicago, people of all ages boarded buses early in the morning from Boston, Providence, Worcester, Philadelphia and Washington, DC to participate.
The rally ended with the symbolic presentation of a letter to the Armenian mission from the AYF on behalf of Protest for Justice, Azbarez.com reports.
Letter to Armenia’s Ambassador to the UN:
“We have come here today, from Massachusetts to Florida, from Chicago to Philadelphia, to demand justice.
For centuries, Armenian people have lived in servitude to Turkey. However, the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia must be based on equality, not capitulation.
The independence of Artsakh must be guaranteed. The Armenian genocide must be accepted by the Turkish government as a crime against humanity with justice requiring reparations and the restitution of land. These demands are non-negotiable.”
