YEREVAN (A.W.)—Thousands of concerned citizens have continued their protests on the streets of Yerevan, against the government’s adoption of a 17 percent rise in electricity rates. The Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) of Armenia unanimously voted on June 17 to raise energy tariffs in the country, which prompted activists to take to the streets of Yerevan to voice their discontent with the decision.
Oshagan said tha
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I’m a bit taken aback by this article’s omission of dominance of electricity and gas by this Russian corporation, the corruption within and how both the oligarch Armenian government as well as corrupt Russian government need to be held accountable.
Tss, it’s a secret that in Armenia Americans are organizing yet another anti-Russian maidan. Electricity, “Freedom and Democracy” are just excuses, removal of Russian military bases is what really matters.
{” “It is the responsibility of every one of us to reject oppressive policies, political violence, and human rights abuses everywhere, and especially in our homeland. Our communities will redouble efforts to support and lead the forces for democracy and freedom in Armenia, and we stand in solidarity with our compatriots there in their continuing struggle for social justice.”}
Blah, blah, blah,….
Try to sit down, with a bunch of your friends, in the middle of Manhattan street and see what happens. I am sure NYPD will let people just close off a major downtown street without a permit.
Nobody bothered the protesters in Liberty Square.
Some decided to march onto Bagramian street and block it off.
Others followed.
Police tried to reason with them for several hours to move back to Liberty square. Only after that water trucks were brought in.
Here is just one sample of how New York’s finest respond to people blocking a street.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/10/01/500-arrested-after-wall-street-protest-on-nys-brooklyn-bridge/?test=latestnews
{New York City police say about 700 protesters have been arrested after they swarmed the Brooklyn Bridge and shut down a lane of traffic for several hours.}
And I won’t bother putting in links of US police brutality all over the country against Occupy Wall Street protesters.
I am sure living in US, you are well aware and have seen the videos.
Did ARF Eastern issue a similar statement at the time about “…oppressive policies, political violence, and human rights abuses everywhere…”, meaning US, and specifically regarding NYPD ?
Avery, why are you always concerned with how the US police would handle a given situation? who cares? we are discussing Armenia, not LA, not NYC, not Ferguson. the people in Armenia are finally making their voices heard. you are obviously against the people of Armenia. you are at best un-informed at worst a traitor. which is it hayrenagits? or rather are you in fact a hayrenagits?
{“ Avery, …you are at best un-informed at worst a traitor. which is it hayrenagits? or rather are you in fact a hayrenagits?”}
I don’t know: you tell me.
Երբ որ տարածուած է այդ հիմնական վարկածը թէ այս ամբողջ իրարանցումին ետին կայ Արեւմուտքի – եւ յատկապէս՝ Սէմ Ամմոյին – ձեռքը, որքա՞ն օգտակար է որ արեւմտեան Սփիւռքը – եւ յատկապէս՝ հայ ծագումով Ամերիկացիները -, խանդավառութեամբ եւ յոտնկայս ծափահարեն, քաջալերեն, խրախուսեն այս «շարժումը»…
I have a feeling maybe Putin may eventually want Armenia as the new Soviet Union that he is trying to establish starting with the Ukraine……
The Government should have known better than raise 17% tax on the unemployed and poor people of Armenia. Poor judgment is an understatement.
And yet, the question is, are the protesters the poor and unemployed only, or does the mob comprise those with ulterior motives?
Those directly affected by the tax hike need to focus on the singular issue of Taxes, and plan to tackle one issue at a time.
Right now, the instigators should be held accountable for continuing to extend the traumatic event. There is no evidence that they are working for social justice or tax repeal.
Armenians deserve better.