Armenian Assembly of America–New England’s speech: “We will not stop our struggle”
Note: Herman Purutian delivered this speech on behalf of the Armenian Assembly of America—New England chapter at “Action for Artsakh” in front of the JFK Federal Building in Boston, Massachusetts on 18 November 2023.
While we were working hard to lift the illegal blockade of immoral and genocidal Aliyev for 10 months, today, we are faced with the situation where Artsakh has no more Armenians. Aliyev attacked and ethnically cleansed Artsakh, while the world, including our government, watched.
Our job is to make sure that we hold our government accountable in all ways. Last week, the Senate passed the Armenian Rights Act, which would take away the ability of the President to waive Section 907. It is a good start, but it is not done yet. It has to go through the House and this is where we come in holding our government accountable. Each of you, I ask, that you reach out to your representatives. You can use the Armenian Assembly resources, you can use the Armenian National Committee’s resources. Reach out and reach out to your representatives and make sure that they ensure the passage of the resolution through the House and that the Bill goes to the President’s desk.
The State Department last week also stated that they are now looking at waiving Section 907, but we have heard those words before. We have to hold them accountable. The State Department also said that they will consider sanctions if the current approaches don’t work. But guess what folks, the current approaches are not working. So, the sanctions need to be on the table right now, and we will continue to hold the State Department accountable and push them to make sure that we put those sanctions in place; Aliyev is hit where it hurts.
My friends, MLK said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” We will not stop our struggle. We will continue our struggle until our POWs and our leaders from Baku are back and until our Artsakhsi brothers and sisters have their right to go back and live in their ancestral homeland. We will not stop our struggle. Artsakh, Artsakh, Artsakh, Artsakh.
Կեցցէ՛ Արցախ… (Long Live Artsakh)
Կեցցէ՛ Հայաստան… (Long Live Armenia)
