Epress.am News from Armenia
“New Armenia,” a Founding Parliament leader Jirair Sefilyan and Heritage Party leader Raffi Hovannisyan-led opposition alliance against Serzh Sargsyan's initiated constitutional amendments, announced on Tuesday the start of an around-the-clock sit-in protest in Yerevan's Freedom Square.
On December 1 evening the coalition rallied supporters and proclaimed the start of a “revolution” to topple Armenia's ruling forces: “Death to the regime!” Sefilyan declared.
Later on, the protesters proceeded to march through downtown Yerevan and clashed briefly with police who blocked the way to Melik Adamyan street, where the headquarters of the ruling Republican Party is located, preventing Raffi Hovhannisyan from approaching the building with a bouquet of flowers.
After an about 3-hour march, the opposition alliance with its supporters returned to the Freedom Square and announced that they would take turns spending the night at the demonstration site. Today at midday the oppositionists will hold a press conference to have an “informative dialogue” with reporters and citizens. Then, at 6 pm, they'll stage another rally in the Square.
Note, the opposition forces had planned to set up tents at the site; however, they were not granted permission to by city authorities.