Epress.am News from Armenia
On Sat. Feb. 12, local activists gathered to protest the construction of kiosks in the strip of green space between Aram and Buzand streets just off of Mashtots Ave. in central Yerevan. Recall, these same kiosks recently were dismantled on Abovyan St. — only to be reconstructed in the park adjacent to the Research Center of Maternal and Child Health Protection (also a maternity hospital) on Aram St.
Environmentalists were protesting the destruction of trees and what they say is illegal construction. On Saturday, they had gathered to prevent construction from moving forward; however, workers continued their work, occasionally throwing the wet concrete they used for laying bricks their way.
“This is illegal construction, and we are also urging police officers to prohibit this illegal activity and not supervise us,” said one protestor, environmentalist Mariam Sukhudyan (pictured below).
Later in the day, protestors were joined by Heritage Party MP Anahit Bakhshyan (pictured below, far right), Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) representative Lilit Galstyan and Green Party of Armenia leader, Armenian National Congress representative Armenak Dovlatyan, all of whom likewise condemned the construction.
“The interests of 3–4 people cannot be prioritized over everything else. Regretfully, a situation has been set up in our republic whereby we have to fight for every right. Since our citizens don’t yet realize who they’re voting for and how we become prisoners in the hands of that political majority, we have to enjoy the fruits of this,” said Galstyan.
Later, activists collected signatures protesting the construction. Many passers-by seemed willing to sign the petition and support their cause.
The protest was still going on at 8 pm. Protestors had cordoned off the area with green ribbon and even built a snowman for the occasion. Despite the freezing temperatures, they wanted to spend the night in the park; however, as police didn’t allow them to bring wood to light a fire, they decided to go home and return the following day.
