WASHINGTON: The Turkiye and Azerbaijan communities in Washington staged a protest demonstration in response to a protest by Armenians regarding the events of 1915 outside the Turkish Embassy.
Members of the Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC) gathered to protest the Armenian demonstration, demanding historical accuracy and rejecting genocide claims.
Banners bearing messages such as “We remember the 58 Turkish diplomats and their families lost to ASALA/JCAG (Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia/Justice Commandos of the Armenian Genocide)”, “Let history be the judge,” and “US Supreme Court dismisses Armenian allegations,” were prominently showcased at the protest, which also saw participation from Meskhetian Turks and Azerbaijanis.
TASC Co-Chair Melih Bektas underscored the Committee’s ongoing efforts to refute Armenian misinformation and defamation, with steadfast support from the Turkish community in America and citizens of Turkish descent for the past five years, emphasizing the political nature of the events of 1915.
Azerbaijani national Vusal Aliyev stood in solidarity with his Turkish counterparts, declaring, “We are one nation, two states. The claims of genocide are unfounded.”
Aliyev referenced President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s call for the opening of archives and investigation into genocide allegations, asserting, “They weaponize this against Turkey. But there’s no substance to it. If there were, they would engage, archives would be unsealed, and truth would prevail.”
Annually, Armenians in the US stage protests outside the Turkish and Azerbaijani embassies in Washington on April 24 to commemorate the events of 1915.
