YEREVAN (A.W.)—Members of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) of Armenia and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Nigol Aghpalian Student Association held a protest at the Embassy of the United States in Yerevan on April 16, calling for U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Armenian youth gather in front of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan (Photo: Rupen Janbazian)
Around 70 protesters held signs and banners reading “Armenian history is not for sale,” and “Turkey still hides behind lies.”
Speaking to the Armenian Weekly, AYF Armenia member Hovo Stepanyan said that the demonstration was a part of a series of protests being held around the world. “ARF youth and student organizations around the world are holding protests at U.S. embassies and consulates, urging them to recognize the genocide and to put pressure on Turkey to do so as well,” said Stepanyan. “We not only demand recognition from the Republic of Turkey, but also demand reparations and restitution,” he added.
Over the past month, members have held demonstrations at the Yerevan embassies of the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Protesters then handed U.S. Embassy Yerevan representative Brian Roraff a letter urging President Barack Obama to honor his pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Roraff promised the protesters that he would hand the letter to the ambassador and that it would be promptly delivered to the White House.
Around 70 protesters held signs and banners reading ‘Armenian history is not for sale,’ and ‘Turkey still hides behind lies.’ (Photo: Rupen Janbazian)
AYF members speaking to U.S. Embassy Yerevan representative Brian Roraff (Photo: Rupen Janbazian)
Demonstrators at the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan (Photo: Rupen Janbazian)
Demonstrators at the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan (Photo: Razmik Tchakmakian)
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