Dearest hunger strikers:

The Homenetmen Western United States Regional Executive, with its more than 8000 members, stands firmly in support of each and every one of you.

We support the self sacrificing decision each of you have made, at the risk of your own welfare and health, to starve yourselves directly in front of the consulate of our homeland – the government of which today is less than 48 hours from its intended destruction of our cause.

We salute your bravery. While the rest of us continue our day to day routines, you have started a movement; you have decided to raise your voices – using your own bodies as tools – to send a clear message to the destructive administration which continues to ignore your innocent pleas for a return to the just course of action.

We salute your sincerity. While this is not the first hunger strike led by the AYF, and we know that it will not be the last, it sure is the first time you have had to strike against our own government. Shame on them!

We salute your dedication. Throughout the last several weeks – from the September 27th rally to the Beverly Hills protest – you as individuals and the AYF as a whole has remained on the front lines of this movement displaying exceptional maturity, responsibility and determination. And when it was perceived that Serj’s departure from our city would have ended our communities’ united outcry of disapproval and sense of betrayal, the AYF took it one step further and launched this hunger strike.

We salute your vision. While the Sarkisyan administration works to deteriorate our hope, each of you, and your beloved organization reassures us that hope is in fact strong. And if, God forbid, our president does betray our people and our cause, we know – as a matter of fact – that not only will the AYF continue to be on the front lines on every level and in every way, but so will Homenetmen and Armenians everywhere.

On behalf of the 8000 members of Homenetmen we bow our heads to your responsible and heroic act.

Homenetmen
Western United States
Regional Executive