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TASC, April 29 2018

Hundreds of Washingtonians visited TASC Vanguard Vigil Sites in front of the Turkish Embassy and Turkish Residence, April 18–24, 2018. The 24/7 Vigils distributed information regarding over 250 terror attacks by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s (ARF) Justice Commandos (JCAG) and Armenian Secret Army (ASALA).

Most visitors did not realize that Armenian terror was the second highest in America, prior to the Al Qaeda’s 9/11 attack; that four Turkish diplomats had been assassinated in Los Angeles and Boston; and that 70 terror incidents had occurred on American soil, such as a bombing outside of Disneyland in Los Angeles, and a bombing outside B’nai B’rith, the African American Institute, and United Nations that left scores of Americans injured in New York City. Former Armenian National Committee of America Chairman (ANCA), Mourad Topalian, was convicted of weapons and explosives charges that the FBI connected to at least four major attacks in the United States, including the mentioned New York City bombing.

The Vigil derives its name, Vanguard, from the Armenian Revolt in the eastern Turkish city of Van in early 1915 that left 60,000 Muslims massacred, as the Armenian insurgents handed the city to the invading Russians.

The TASC Vigil came to a close outside the Turkish Ambassador’s Residence at Sheridan Circle with a demonstration by over 150 Turkish Americans supporting the United States, European Union’s and Turkey’s call for a Historical Commission to study the WWI Armenian–Turkish conflict. Armenia is opposed to the Commission.

Turkish Americans were met with over 150 Armenian protestors hurling accusations, as six members of an Armenian motorcycle gang circled Sheridan Circle, revving their engines and swerving toward Turkish Americans. DC Metropolitan Police quickly intervened. On local and national news, TASC Co-Chairman Gunay Evinch commended the DC Metropolitan Police, National Park Service Police, US Secret Service, Turkish Diplomatic Security, and the U.S. intelligence community for coordinating so well to secure public safety and free speech.

Turkish Ambassador Serdar Kilic and Azerbaijan Ambassador Elin Suleymanov greeted Turkish Americans, as well as Azeri, Ahiska, Uygur and other Turkic American supporters. Afterwards, the Ambassador’s Residence welcomed everyone out of the cold rain, and offered hot Turkish Chai and traditional Turkish comfort food.

TASC Co-Chairman Halil Mutlu thanked participants for standing up for their Turkish heritage, mentioning college student leaders, teachers, professors, parents, professionals, business owners, and local leaders from the American Turkish Association of Washington DC (ATADC), Turkish American Community Center and Mosque (TACC) in Lanham Maryland, Yunus Emre Institute in Washington DC, as well as the US representatives of the CHP and AKP political parties.

TASC Co-Chairman Evinch thanked volunteers and staff, giving special mention to TACC Member Faruk Tio who staffed the Vigil outside the Turkish Ambassador’s Residence, and TASC Secretary General Oya Bain who staffed the Vigil outside the Turkish Embassy. Special thanks were given to Burak Sahiner for the good services of his private security company that protected the Vigil sites during the nights.