SYDNEY: On Friday 1st September 2023, hundreds from Sydney’s Armenian-Australian community will march through Sydney’s Central Business District calling on Australia to take a firm approach to help ‘End The Blockade’ of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), which has been cut off from the outside world for over 250 days by Azerbaijan.
The demonstration will commence at the Australian Red Cross (Town Hall Square) at 12:30pm.
The starting point is symbolic for Armenian-Australians, who will thank the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for providing urgent humanitarian relief to the 120,000 people of Artsakh and urge the body to do more to alleviate the humanitarian crisis being experienced by the civilian population.
The procession will be led by Armenian-Australian religious and community leaders, who will march through Sydney’s CBD before settling at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Sydney office for a short program including speeches.
"The End The Blockade March will see the Armenian-Australian community amplify the message delivered to our Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator Penny Wong and the Australian Government, to utilise all bilateral and multilateral processes available to the Government to call on Azerbaijan to lift its illegal blockade,” said Armenian National Committee of Australia Executive Director, Michael Kolokossian.
Permanent Representative to the Republic of Artsakh in Australia, whose office is organising the End The Blockade March, said: “At the behest of the President of the Republic of Artsakh for a worldwide response from Armenian communities, our office in Australia has organised a protest march and we ask our compatriots in Sydney, to join us so we can make our united voices heard by our government in Canberra.”
Armenian-Australians are encouraged to bring their flags, posters and voices to ensure the bustling streets of Sydney are brought to attention about the current siege of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh).
Buses have also been organised to transport the Armenian-Australian community to the 'End The Blockade' March on Friday, 1st September 2023 at 12:30pm, withe departure times and addresses listed below:
11:30am – Homenetmen Ararat Scouts Hall (255 Quarry Road, Ryde)
12:00pm – Armenian Cultural Centre (259 Penshurst Street, Willoughby)
Click here to fill out the form below to secure a place on the bus.