“Nikol, we will never ‘bring down the bar’ as a nation, instead, we will bring you down.”
GLENDALE, CA – On the evening of Sunday, May 15, hundreds of Armenian-Americans again took part in a rally in front of the Republic of Armenia’s Consulate in Glendale, to express their support for the “Resistance” movement in Armenia demanding Nikol Pashinyan’s and his government’s resignation.
Waving the flags of Armenia and Artsakh, the demonstrators carried posters condemning the Armenian government, demanded their removal, sang national-revolutionary songs, and chanted “Armenia without Nikol”, “Unity, Struggle, Victory”, and “Nikol Leave”.
Levon Baronian of the ARF Western U.S.A. Central Committee in opening remarks stated, “We have gathered here tonight for one purpose: to show our support and to express that the Armenians of Los Angeles, despite being physically distant, stand spiritually and wholeheartedly in solidarity with the people of Armenia. Nikol, we will never ‘bring down the bar’ as a nation, instead, we will bring you down.”
Several public figures spoke at the rally expressing their conviction that a conscientious and awakened Armenian society will not allow the defeatist programs of the Armenian government to be implemented. They also condemned the attempts to sow divisions between Armenia and the Diaspora, saying that certain forces want to keep the Diaspora away from internal political issues in Armenia, but they will fail to do so because the Diaspora has something to say and will say it until the end. Representative of the ARF Central Committee of Western Europe, Hrach Varzhabedian also addressed the speakers.
The demonstrators then marched through the main streets of central Glendale, toward Artsakh Avenue. On the way, they stopped in front of the “Americana at Glendale” complex and condemned Armenia’s Diaspora Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan with chants of “Sinanyan Traitor”, for his recent remarks aimed at dividing the Diaspora.
The march ended on Artsakh Avenue in front of the Glendale Public Library, with remarks from Armenian Youth Federation Central Executive member Puzant Berberian and ANCA National Chairman Raffi Hamparian, followed by the singing of the Armenian revolutionary songs “Zartir Lao” and “Gini Lits”.
Correspondent: Juliet D. Photos by Arush Sh. and Mike C.
