Astvatsaturian Turcotte Documents Azerbaijan's Anti-Armenian Hatred at Capitol Hill Artsakh Event

Mrs. Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte, author of "Nowhere: A Story of Exile," offered poignant remarks detailing Azerbaijani pogroms against her and other Armenians in Baku -- which led to the forced exodus of that centuries old population.

"I was born an Armenian, in Baku Azerbaijan. I had a happy, sunny childhood in a beautiful city. But things changed in 1988 soon before I turned 10. Life as we knew it for myself, my family and hundreds of our friends ceased to exist as the gangs and violent riots stormed our streets and attacked us as Armenian citizens of Azerbaijan," began Turcotte, who then detailed her family's journey to safety first to Armenia and ultimately to the United States.

Turcotte cited the anti-Armenian massacres that began in 1988 and the ongoing intolerance faced by the few Armenians left in Azerbaijan as among the most powerful reasons to continue the fight for justice and self-determination for the people of Artsakh. "The reality of today and the last 24 years since 1988, is that Armenians there are no more safe under Azeri rule than we were in Baku," she explained. "The anti-Armenian rhetoric and propaganda plagues its policies. Artsakh Armenians could and should never be subjected to the Azeri government."

Turcotte spoke at the annual Nagorno Karabakh Republic independence celebration, which took place on December 5th in the historic Russell Senate Office Building, in Washington, DC. The event was hosted by the Armenian Caucus, which is co-chaired by Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA), the incoming Chairman of the influential Foreign Affairs Committee, and Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ). Representative Pallone served as the evening's master of ceremonies. Among the legislators offering powerful statements at the event in support for Nagorno Karabakh were Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), and Eliot Engel (D-NY), the incoming Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Representatives Jeff Denham (R-CA) and Linda Sanchez (D-CA) participated in the program, meeting with Minister Mirzayan and joining in the celebration of Artsakh's independence. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA) shared powerful statements of support of Nagorno Karabakh.