GYUMRI MAYOR PERMITS ANTI-AZERBAIJANI FILM PROTEST; BANS LOCAL ENVIRONMENTALISTS
Yeranuhi Soghoyan
hetq
19:17, April 11, 2012
Scores of people were on hand today in the central square of Gyumri,
Armenia’s second largest city, to protest an Azerbaijani film festival
called “Stop” scheduled to start tomorrow.
The festival of Azerbaijani short films, organized by the Caucasus
Center of Peace-Making Initiatives and the U.S. Embassy, had been
effectively blocked in Yerevan due to popular opposition.
Arman Sahakyan, a candidate running for a parliamentary seat from
the 34th Election District, was also present at the protest
“This is a spontaneous rally and as parliamentary candidate I felt
it was my duty to show up here given that the issue is hotly debated.
Personally, I think the initiative to show Azerbaijani films is a
bad idea, especially in Gyumri. I urges people to protest but I am
not the organizer,” Sahakyan told Hetq.
The Gyumri mayor (man wearing cap and stripped tie) and municipal
workers were also at the protest.
Local environmental activists were barred from handing out flyers
calling for a “Green and clean Gyumri” and “Clean Streets”.
According to the Shirak civic association, when the activists
approached the crowd, the mayor’s press spokesman and another municipal
official rushed out and tore the unfurled banners away from them.
The Shirak statement also claims that the activists were called
“traitors to the nation” and other expletives.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
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