ARF Issues Call to Action in Defense of Artsakh and Armenia

It has already been more than a week since Azerbaijan launched an aggressive attack along its entire border with Artsakh. With the direct involvement and unequivocal support from Turkey, enemy forces are targeting civilians by shelling Stepanakert, Shushi, Mardakert, Hadrut causing extensive damage and killing innocent people.

By now it is no secret that Turkey, in addition to supplying Azerbaijan with military equipment and weapons, is also sending jihadists from Syria to fight alongside Azerbaijani soldiers. Yerevan reports that some 150 high-level Turkish military officials are currently deployed in Azerbaijani military bases.

From day one, our community has come together in support of the republics of Armenia and Artsakh and our heroic soldiers who, by defending our sacred homeland have become the protectors of the entire Armenian Nation. Every day their courage and selfless dedication is bring us closer to victory. Victory will be ours and We Will Win.

Our community members have also raised their voices and fists in protest of the barbaric Turkish and Azerbaijani regimes that have no regard for human life and are brutally attempting to resolve the Karabakh conflict through military force—a concept that jeopardized a peaceful settlement of the conflict and threatens the stability and security of the entire region.

There have been several protests throughout the Western United States—in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Seattle, Phoenix and Las Vegas to name a few—including a large demonstration at the Azerbaijani Consulate in Los Angeles on September 30 organized by the Armenian Youth Federation.

It is time to come together and make our collective voices heard. We call on our community members to attend all protests and become united force against bloodthirsty governments of Turkey and Azerbaijan.

On Sunday, October 11, a community-wide MARCH FOR VICTORY will take place at 3 p.m. from Pan Pacific Park in the Farifax District to the Turkish Consulate on Wilshire Boulevard and La Cienega Avenue. There we will resolutely become one voice against Ankara’s ongoing and systematic campaign to annihilate the Armenian people—a campaign started in 1915 through the Armenian Genocide.

Armenia and Artsakh need us now more than ever. Let’s open up our wallets and generously donate to the Hayastan All-Armenia Fund, which in a short span of time has already raised more than $20 million. More is needed. Let’s give now and let’s give unsparingly.

In addition to funds, Armenia and Artsakh are experiencing shortages in basic medical needs, such as medication, first-aid supplies and medical equipment. The Armenian Relief Society, working with the Armenia Fund has already begun the collection and shipment of these much-needed supplies to the homeland.

The Armenian National Committee of America and its Western Region office have already engaged federal, state and local officials and have urged them to condemn, in no uncertain terms, Azerbaijan’s aggression and Turkey interference. In Washington the resolution that condemns Azerbaijan’s unprovoked attack on Artsakh slams Turkey’s participation in and escalation of this offensive has been introduced in the House of Representatives. High-ranking Senators and House members are also urging the White House to cut all military aid to Azerbaijan and impose severe sanctions on Turkey. Urgent action is needed. Take part in the ANCA action alerts.

Fellow Armenians,
This is a clarion call for all of us to band together and confront our enemies. As our soldiers are braving extreme conditions in the frontlines to defend our nation, let us all join in the fight in defense of our homeland.

Long Live Armenia
Long Live Artsakh
Long Live the Armenian Nation

WE WILL WIN. Victory is ours.

Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western U.S. Central Committee