SOS Yerevan Environmental Protest Action
Environmental Protest Action, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Hetq Online
On Saturday 29 October, a small group of people gathered for a demonstration and march staged to protest the destruction of Yerevan’s green zones, and in particular the devastation of the capital’s parks in clear violation of the law. The action follows last week’s protests against the expansion of a cafe adjacent to the Chamber Music Hall.
Environmental Protest Action, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Hetq Online
The action was organized by Jeffrey Tufenkian and the Armenian Forests NGO [see correction], but also in attendance were Susan Klein from the Armenian Tree Project, Vahan Artsruni, Lilit Pipoyan, Eduard Zorikyan, and Artur Ispirian.
Environmental Protest Action, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Hetq Online
It was also encouraging to see a number of Diasporans such as Alex Sardar and Madlene Minasian present, as well as local youth. Unfortunately, however, apart from a few journalists from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Max Liberty, Hetq Online, and other paper or online based media, the main TV news did not cover the event.
Transparency International and other NGOs also attended the action. For more environmental stories from Armenia access: http://www.hetq.am/eng/ecology/. A1 Plus also reports on the forum SOS Yerevan held yesterday.
Lilit Pipoyan, Environmental Protest Action, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Hetq Online
Eduard Zorikyan, Environmental Protest Action, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Hetq Online
Vahan Artsruni, Environmental Protest Action, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Hetq Online
Onnik,
Thank you for the coverage of this imporant event, but I want to make a correction. There was no single organizer except SOS Yerevan Coalition. The key participants this include many of the same organziations that had success in the SOS Shikahogh campaign–not just our organization (Armenian Forests NGO), but Armenia Tree Project, WWF Caucasus, Transparency International, Association for Sustainable Human Development, AUA ECRC (Environmental Conservation and Research Center), Center for Bird Lovers, the Chamber Music hall, and more than a dozen others.
I also want to point out that, although we never would have believed it would happen so soon, we already have had some success with our first target; they began tearing down at least the portions of the cafe being constructed nearby the Komitas Chamber Music hall (Kamarayin). They were tearing up the pavement they had just put down and the crane nearby the starting point of the rally on Saturday was there to REMOVE the skeleton of the roof they had just built the week before.
Comment by Jeffrey Tufenkian — October 30, 2005 @ 12:49 pm
Dear Onnik,
Thanks for the article. I would like to pay your attention at another correction.
Two local TV channels covered the protests meeting October 29, the same day – “Yerekir Media TV” and “Shant TV”. Their reporting was very detailed, mainly targeted to raise public awareness of the issue instead of focusing on the certain officials and other well-known people showed up at the event. Both materials were bright, with imaging shots and interviews taken from the SOS Yerevan coalition members, participating artists, and attended population.
SOS Yerevan is doing great job!
Comment by Bella Avetisyan (ATP) — October 31, 2005 @ 7:10 am
Okay, I heard a Shant TV crew were passign and filmed some of the rally when they saw it pass by, but didn’t even see another film crew. I’ll take your word for it, however, as I don’t watch television in Armenia. Just remember Shant TV being there for 5 minutes and can’t remember anyone else. I was probably too busy filming. However, I can’t remember any film crews at the Opera House / Liberty Square. Only a few minutes being shot earlier. Anyway, glad to hear that some coverage was aired. However, where were the two main channels — H1 and Armenia TV? That’s not good at all.
Comment by Administrator — October 31, 2005 @ 7:12 am
Unfortunately, no other channels came Oct 29… as far as I could see.
I am ready to pass you the video tape with complete TV footage of the SOS Yerevan movement. Hopefully, we will get more TV coverage for our next actions.
Anyway, I am very thankful to those participating and writing about this struggle.
Comment by Bella Avetisyan (ATP) — October 31, 2005 @ 7:22 am
Certainly, I hope you guys take the action further. The destruction of Yerevan’s green areas along with illegal construction has gotten well out of hand. It’s about time everybody took a stand on this issue so yes, the action was positive in that it brought different people — locals, foreign and Diasporan — together.
Comment by Administrator — October 31, 2005 @ 9:19 am
I enjoy to see this pictures because, it makes me to blive that the civilization didn,nt live Armenia.
Comment by arthur — June 20, 2006 @ 4:22 am