PHOTOS: ENVIRONMENTALISTS PROTEST KIOSKS’ CONSTRUCTION IN YEREVAN PARK
epress.am
02.13.2012
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.
From: Baghdasarian