SYDNEY: On Sunday 18th September 2022, members of the Armenian Youth Federation of Australia (AYF-AU), staged a Die-In demonstration in Sydney’s city centre on the busy thoroughfare of Pitt Street, informing members of the broader public on Azerbaijan’s bombardment of civilian settlements and civilian infrastructure inside the Republic of Armenia, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU).
Almost a week after Azerbaijan invaded the internationally recognised, sovereign borders of Armenia, the die-in demonstration featured 30 members from the AYF-AU Northern Sydney and Western Sydney chapters, demanding Australia ends its silence and unequivocally condemns Azerbaijan.
The demonstration, which lasted for approximately two hours, was met favourably by the Australian public, included a banner signing initiative calling on passers-by to stand against Azerbaijan’s latest invasion against Armenia.
Their placards articulated that Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, is continuing the genocidal policies of their Ottoman ancestors, and will stop at nothing to ensure the Pan-Turkic goal to remove Armenians from their motherland.
AYF-AU Chairperson Francois Pamboukian said: “It was encouraging to see genuine engagement from the Australian public and a high-level of awareness about this issue. Many passers-by we were able to talk to found it unacceptable that Australia was yet to condemn Azerbaijan’s aggression.”
“Our activism efforts will not stop. We are committed to seeing Australia stand with Armenia and the vibrant Armenian-Australian community, who are deeply concerned with the unfolding situation in our homeland.”
AYF-AU and its members will partake in Sydney’s March for Armenians this Sunday 25th September 2022. The March for Armenians will begin outside the ABC headquarters in Ultimo at 1:30pm (
more information here).
Footage of the Armenian Youth Federation of Australia die-in demonstration can be viewed below or by clicking
here.
