Dutch-Armenian organizations gathered at Dam Square in Amsterdam on July 19th at the initiative of the Armenian Youth Federation to protest the actions taken by Azerbaijan at the Armenian border and to support the Armenian army. The protesters were so loud that, according to one of the organizers, they wanted to “crack” the buildings.
The protesters were wearing Armenian flags and carrying posters that had messages written on them condemning Azerbaijan’s actions. They were saying in English, “We want peace,” “We never want war.” They also had large Armenian flags that they photographed with when the protests ended.
One of the young Dashnaks, Arpiar Melikyan, spoke about how Gurgen Margaryan was axed to death by Ramil Safarov, yet the president of Azerbaijan named Safarov a national hero. The young protester said that Azerbaijan is continuing its occupation policies by targeting Armenian civilians. “Our people have shown that they are able to set aside their differences in opinion and political arguments during critical times and come out united against the enemy. These streets have seen many Armenian protests… During the April War, 500 Armenians gathered here and presented their demands. Our homeland is sacred to us. Our homeland has its borders that are being defended by our army and our brothers. Many of us did not have the opportunity to serve in our military, but we need to do everything we can so that the victories of our military are recognized on political and diplomatic platforms,” another protester said.
The militaristic statement about bombing the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant was also discussed during the protest. “If Metsamor is destroyed or bombed, not only Azerbaijan, but the majority of Georgia, Iran, and Turkey will also be destroyed. This is a stupid and suicidal statement, although it is impossible to target the power plant because it is well-defended.”
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After this speech, many of the protesters began to chant in English, “Azerbaijan, terrorist!” Armenian patriotic songs were also played during these protests.
“Azerbaijan needs to take the thought out of its mind that it will resolve the issue militarily. I heard people at their embassy shouting that Artsakh is theirs and it will be theirs. Artsakh is an independent country and it will remain independent based on the will of its people,” protesters announced. At the end of the protest, the protesters began to chant in different languages, “Artsakh is Armenia,” “Azerbaijan is a terrorist nation,” and “Azerbaijan is racist.” Protests also took place the day before.
Gohar Hakobyan
