A peaceful protest is to be held in front of the Turkish Consulate in Sydney on Wednesday, April 2, to express the Armenian-Australian community’s solidarity with the Armenian community of Kessab, Syria, and to condemn Turkey’s actions.

On March 21, armed rebel groups attacked the heavily Armenian-populated region of Kessab, Syria, by crossing the Turkish border into Syria. Under the threat of slaughter, the entire Armenian population of the region was forced to flee their homes to neighboring towns, including Latakia and Bassit. Some were not so lucky and have reportedly been taken hostage, while churches and homes have been destroyed.

A demonstration is to be held in Sydney to join with Armenian communities from all around the world in condemning Turkey’s action, which is a continuation of its genocidal policy towards Armenians dating back to 1915, the Armenian National Committee of Australia said.

Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of Australia, Vache Kahramanian, remarked: “This is an important opportunity to the Armenian-Australian community to publicly show their solidarity with the Armenian community of Kessab."

“In 1915 the Ottoman Turkish rulers orchestrated the Armenian genocide and today, in the 21st century, the current Turkish Government is continuing the same policy against the Armenians in Syria,” Kahramanian added.

Spokesperson for the organizing Armenian Youth Federation of Australia, Aram Tufenkjian, stated: “Today we call on all Armenians, young and old, to join in this important action to hold Turkey accountable.”