Community and Dignitaries Join the Celebrations
PROVIDENCE, R.I.—On May 20, the Armenian community of Rhode Island organized a special reception to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the liberation of Shushi. The open-air reception and a concert were organized by the ARF’s Eastern U.S. Central Committee, the Armenian Cultural Association of Rhode Island, and the Saints Vartanantz Armenian Church of Providence. Congressman David Cicilline (D-R.I.), Mayors of Providence, Warwick, and Cranston also attended the celebrations, and offered their remarks to congratulate the people of Artsakh.
“We will support Karabakh economically, legislatively, and diplomatically to ensure that it prospers,” said Dikran Kaligian, member of the ARF Eastern Region’s Central Committee.
Addressing the gathering, Representative of Artsakh Robert Avetisyan talked about the importance of the 1992 victory, and expressed hope for future significant achievements. Avetisyan thanked the vibrant Armenian community of Rhode Island for their continued involvement and support of Artsakh’s aspirations to continue developing as a free and sovereign country.
On May 17, Rhode Island’s House of Representatives adopted a resolution supporting independence of Artsakh, and calling upon the U.S. government to recognize the sovereign NKR.
During the Artsakh Liberation War, on May 8-9, 1992 Artsakh self-defense forces launched a military operation intended to lift the siege of Stepanakert and end Azerbaijani bombardments of Karabakh’s capital. Shushi, a historically Armenian town, had become Azerbaijan’s military stronghold. After twenty-four hours of heavy fighting, Artsakh forces liberated the town, and moved further to break the blockade and open a corridor to Armenia. The corridor, which became known as “Road of Life,” allowed for key supplies to enter Artsakh and make its long-term defense possible.
The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States is based in Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government, academia and the public representing the official policies and interests of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
Let us strengthen the protection of Armenia, Artsakh and Djavakhk by a continuous chain of demonstrations of solidarity around the Planet.