‘Here is Where the Dog’s Head is Buried’: Karapetyan Speaks to Supporters

The only leader is the people and the people must stand and demand dignity, said People’s Party leader Tigran Karapetyan, speaking about issues prevalent in Armenia today during his speech at today’s rally outside the Matenadaran (Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts).

“Every official, every president, every minister considers his interests above those of the people. Here is where the dog’s head is buried. We won’t allow them to treat us without dignity; we won’t allow injustice. If the state becomes split, divisive, then we can’t have a future,” he said.

During the rally, Karapetyan suggested showing a “red card” to the ruling authorities, literally removing from his pocket and holding up a red card. His supporters followed suit, many producing red cards from their own pockets and raising them in the air. It turns out these red cards — which had the Lord’s Prayer written on the back — were distributed to demonstrators.

“These cards, which I’m happily seeing, let them see it too, knowing  that we don’t trust the policies they’ve adopted,” he said.

Karapetyan stressed that today was the day to show red cards, while the next time — during the Mar. 21 rally — he’s not going to ask for early elections, but rather “that they resign.”

Karapetyan invited the public to a candle-lighting ceremony at 4:30 pm near the Myasnikyan statue tomorrow in memory of the victims of Mar. 1, 2008.