Epress.am News from Armenia
The “brigade” of local activists who expressed intent to dismantle the kiosks in a central Yerevan park will convene a meeting at 5 pm today to decide their next steps.
Recall, environmental and civic activists who for over a month and a half have been protesting shop construction in Mashtots Park appointed a brigade who arrived to the park on Mar. 31 sporting yellow hardhats and green protective coats with the intention of dismantling the kiosks they say have been illegally placed in one of the few remaining green spaces in downtown Yerevan.
According to activist and new brigade member Oshin Yeghiazaryan, there was a misunderstanding as people thought they would be dismantling the kiosks at 1 pm today. Actually, the demolition brigade meant that the deadline referred to when a state agency that will provide a legal assessment of the unlawful construction in the park, something which the police has refused to do, will arrive.
“This is an entire movement. We’re not putting down our weapons; this isn’t just a matter of the boutiques, but an issue of privatizing public space. After today’s discussion, the brigade will make public a definite decision on what it will do next,” he said.
Photo (cropped): Astghik Melkonyan