Vache Thomassian of the ARF Shant Student Association speaks

From the streets of Paris, to New York, to Beverly Hills, to Glendale, to Beirut to Yerevan to Stepanakert, our message has been made.

Not the Diaspora’s message, not Artsakh’s message, not the ARF’s message, not a radical message, not a fragmented message, not a mumbling, insincere stuttering message, but our message.

The message of the Armenian Nation has been made.

We say no to these Protocols.

We say no to any concessions to Turkey.

We say no to any agreements that would put the independence of Artsakh in jeopardy.

We want…no we don’t want. We demand reparations from the government of Turkey, not some phony historical commission to tell us what we already know.

We demand the right to repopulate and live in the lands of our forefathers.

And right now we demand a Leader who has a spine and a leader who will listen to the will of his people.

Serzh Sarkisian, Edward Nalbandian, Hranush Hakopyan, Grigor Hovhanissyan, you do not represent me, you do not represent us, and you do not represent the will of your people.

We know the message has been made, but sadly, we wait to see if that message has actually been heard.

To anyone that wants to create a division between the Armenian Diaspora and the Armenian Republic, saying that we live here comfortably while our countrymen suffer. That selling out our historical rights in order to open our border with Turkey is worth it. I say open your eyes. Today 20,000 marched in Yerevan’s Republic Square. 20,000 grew to 40,000, marching from Sersh Sarkisian’s house to Dzidzernagapert. 40,000 became 60,000, unified by the ARF to reject these Protocols.

To anyone or any organization ignorant enough to think that these Protocol documents don’t contain preconditions. All I can say is open your eyes. We have fought too long and sacrificed too much to allow our future to be dictated by this type of irresponsible and immature foreign policy.

To my dedicated and impassioned Ungerouhis and Ungers here for the past week, all I want to say is that you have not been alone, and you have inspired our entire nation.

Our people have endured much throughout history, and we will endure this as well. Whether we are in front of this building or anywhere else each and every person here will continue this struggle.

If this administration thinks that their Diasporan tour was enough of a show to quiet our voices, if this administration thinks it can go forth with these Protocols.

Mr. President I assure you have not seen our anger, and you have not seen anything yet.

–Vache Thomassian,
ARF Shant Student Association
Stop the Protocols Campaign