On the night of January 19-20, 1990, Soviet authorities on orders given by Gorbachev, staged one of the falling empire's last brutal crimes against own citizens. Following the popular freedom rallies, 26,000 regular and special Soviet troops with support of tanks, helicopters and navy stormed Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan overnight, indiscriminately firing at unarmed inhabitants, killing hundreds of innocent civilians, including children, women and elderly. The tragedy did not break the will, but only reinforced Azerbaijanis' determination for freedom. Within less than two years, Azerbaijan restored its constitutional independence.

I remember this day very clearly, living in the United States, we heard about it on television, we read about it in the newspapers. We were so helpless could not help our brothers and sisters in Azerbaijan, instead...we held the biggest demonstration in front of United Nations in New York, demanding justice.

We will always remember the brave victims who lost their lives for Azerbaijan's fight for freedom. We will always defend and protect the honor of Azerbaijan here in the United States....

Independent Azerbaijan is Forever!