Epress.am News from Armenia
Environmental and civic activists who for one-and-a-half months have been protesting shop construction in a central Yerevan park said on Saturday that they are prepared to remain in the park until police officers are convinced that their actions are lawful.
Recall, environmental and civic activists on Mar. 28 issued an open letter to RA Police Chief Vladimir Gasparyan, informing him that they will be dismantling the kiosks in Mashtots Park themselves on Mar. 31 at 1 pm. In the letter, they gave the names of the 10 men who will arrive armed with tools and safety equipment to carry out this work. On Friday, however, police warned activists that such actions are considered illegal and “will be viewed as a violation of regulation and in the case of legal grounds will lead to the use of coercion.”
The activists, undeterred, arrived on Mar. 31 with large numbers of followers and, of course, media representatives. There was also an increased police presence in the park with rows of riot police armed with shields, batons and protective helmets. The 10 men known as the “demolition brigade” were also armed — sporting yellow hardhats and green coats, they arrived with drills and other tools in their hands with the aim of dismantling the nearly completed kiosks in Mashtots Park.
The brigade initially negotiated with police, but to no avail. Deputy Chief of Yerevan Police Robert Melkonyan reminded the activists that this case is currently in the administrative court and if the court decides that the mayor’s decision is unlawful only then will the kiosks be demolished. Nevertheless, the brigade opted to dismantle the kiosks themselves.
After circling the kiosks for what seemed like hours but was, in fact, less than 2 hours, the brigade resumed negotiations with police officers, who had been following them on the “tour” around the park. Again Melkonyan advised them, “Since the municipality hasn’t yet determined that these kiosks are illegal, we are watching over them. If you approach the kiosks, it might be viewed as a violation of the law.”
Activists stated that they aren’t preparing to use force against officers since they have other means — non-stop rallies, demonstrations, hunger strikes. According to one of the brigade activists Manvel Sargsyan, they are practicing civil disobedience.
Prominent activist Mariam Sukhudyan (pictured, below) urged supporters to bring sleeping bags and lighting equipment (lamps, flashlights) to the park as activists are prepared to camp out in the park until demolition work begins.
As of this morning, no actual dismantling of kiosks has taken place.
Photos by Astghik Melkonyan.