INSIDE OUR SCHOOLS
Armine Sahakyan (Photo – Nayri Bozoglanian)
One. Month. One month has passed since September 27, 2020.
By Armine Sahakyan
One month of pain, One month of worry. One month of survival. For the past month, this is what every Armenian worldwide has been feeling, ever since Azerbaijan declared war with Armenia by attempting to take over the de facto region of Artsakh.
The world is aware of the Armenian Genocide that occurred in 1915, when more than 1.5 million Armenians were marched to their death by the Ottoman Turks. Armenians have fought constant wars and have had numerous armed conflicts to protect not only their land but also their culture and heritage. Now there is a new conflict facing the Armenian people: Artsakh.
Nagorno Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, is historic Armenian land, but the land was given to Azerbaijan by Joseph Stalin in 1923. In 1991, Artsakh declared independence from Azerbaijan and wanted to join the Republic of Armenia. Azerbaijan declines to recognize Artsakh as Armenian land, and claims the land to be its own. Turkey is Azerbaijan´s strongest ally and sides with the Azeri people. There has always been tension between the two neighboring countries, violent clashes have frequently occurred and have led to what is happening today.
On September 27, 2020 Azerbaijan conducted a full-scale war between Armenia and de facto Artsakh in hopes to finally take over the land. Thousands of Armenian men and women from Armenia and the diaspora have volunteered to leave the comfort of their homes to fight for what is rightfully theirs. Many young soldiers are passing away daily, causing a significant strain in the progressive direction Armenia was headed towards. These soldiers not only serve as soldiers but they are university students, aspiring doctors, musicians, and more. Armenia has a population of 3 million people in their small landlocked country and 11 million total worldwide. Armenians living in the Diaspora are fundraising as much money/aid as possible as well as holding peaceful protests worldwide. The war between Armenia and Azerbaijan is older than the soldiers that are fighting it. Nagorno Karabakh, aka Artaskh, will continue to be a recurring issue between the two neighboring countries if it is not resolved soon. With the help of the international community, Turkey and Azerbaijan can be stopped from committing a second Armenian Genocide.
Solidarity with Artsakh at the steps of Pasadena City Hall, Oct. 15, 2020 (Photo – Patrick Cahalan)
Ways to help
Ways to help the Armenian community:
- Support Marshall’s own Armenian Club on November 9th at Panda Express on 1701 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, from 3:00 – 9:00 pm, as all the profits will be sent directly to Armenia Fund.
- Donate directly to Armenia Fund (the most reliable organization).
- Shop at local Armenian markets to support small community businesses.
- Stay aware and educated on this issue as many of the community members are in pain.
Armine Sahakyan is a first-generation Armenian-American, and a Junior at Marshall Fundamental. She has served on student government for two years, currently serving as Civic Affairs Commissioner.
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