Dr. Alveda King Leads Delegation to Stand with Persecuted Armenian Christians & Honor Their Resilience

Dr. Alveda King, renowned Christian evangelist and niece of the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., has recently visited Armenia to stand in solidarity with persecuted Armenian Christians. Her trip was marked by a visit to the Armenian Genocide Memorial, a powerful symbol of the resilience and strength of the Armenian people.

The Armenian Report’s correspondent Ani Khachatryan caught up with Dr. King and the Save Armenia delegation at Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial for an interview with Dr. King herself.

Dr. King expressed her honor and delight in visiting Armenia, a nation she describes as strong, resilient, and resolute in its Christian values for over 2,000 years. "I came to learn about a group of strong, resilient, and resolute people who have stood on Christian values for 2,000 years. I have seen more than I expected and am encouraged by the testimonies and stories," she stated. Her primary goal is to share the stories and testimonies of Armenian Christians with her prayer partners, to bring greater awareness and support for Armenia's enduring Christian values.

Armenian Christians face ongoing challenges and threats that have persisted through generations. Dr. King emphasized the importance of remembering and educating future generations about these struggles. "What Armenians have experienced, many of us across generations and cultures around the world forget to tell our children and grandchildren. When that evil force rises again, our children are not always prepared to face it," she noted. She highlighted the need for adequate resources and international support to help Armenians stand as peacemakers while also advocating for sanctions against those who oppose justice and peace.

The delegation accompanying Dr. King is committed to using their influence and platforms to document and share the conditions in Armenia. Each member of the Save Armenia delegation has a specific audience and community they can reach. Through prayers and their influence, they aim to raise global awareness about Armenia's needs for agreement and partnership.

Regarding the Azerbaijani occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh, Dr. King urged the United States to honor and support a nation that upholds Christian values. "As a Christian evangelist who lives in the United States of America and as a niece of the famous Christian Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr., my recommendation to America is to be glad that there is a nation that still holds Christian values," she stated. She believes that America, founded on Christian principles, should stand in agreement with Armenia.

Dr. King met with many Armenian citizens who have been forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. She listened to their testimonies of displacement, terror, and oppression due to their Christian faith. Dr. King offered prayers and encouragement to those she met, reaffirming her commitment to stand with them in their struggles.

Dr. King also spoke about the plight of political prisoners held in Azerbaijani jails, reflecting on her uncle Martin Luther King Jr.'s teachings about human dignity and inhumanity. "Human dignity, as stated in the Bible (Acts 17:26), would not agree that it is okay to imprison, torment, and torture people. That is wrong," she asserted. She continues to pray for God's mercy to move the hearts of those oppressing political prisoners.

Addressing the perception that America has stood by during ethnic cleansing, Dr. King clarified that many Americans are in agreement, sympathy, and prayer with the Armenian people. She acknowledged that while not all American politicians may have acted, there is a significant portion of the American population that supports Armenia. "They definitely need to do more, and we will do our part to make the message very clear," she said.

Dr. Alveda King's visit to Armenia serves as a reminder of the importance of solidarity, prayer, and advocacy for persecuted communities. Her commitment to sharing the stories of Armenian Christians and rallying support shows the enduring bond between those who uphold Christian values worldwide.