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FREEDOM SQUARE - RAFFI HOVANNISIAN CALLS FOR UNITY OF PURPOSE; VARDAN PETROSYAN: "THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN"
Hrant Gadarigian
http://hetq.am/eng/news/23953/freedom-square---raffi-hovannisian-calls-for-unity-of-purpose;-vardan-petrosyan-%E2%80%9Cthe-people-have-spoken%E2%80%9D.html
18:51, February 28, 2013
Thousands turned out under a cloudy Yerevan sky to hear what Raffi
Hovannisian had to say about the future of the movement to remove
Serzh Sargsyan from the Presidential Palace.
A representative from Armenia's student movement noted that students
would no longer tolerate undemocratic practices in colleges and
universities. She said that while the school boycott had ended,
students would engage in other civic actions in the near future.
The next speaker was singer/songwriter Ruben Hakhverdyan who confessed
that while he didn't know what the next steps were but that it was
clear that Sargsyan had to go.
Speakers then referred to the letter sent to Serzh Sargsyan by Serj
Tankian.
There were calls made for the people to unite and no longer accept
fraudulent elections and the lies of successive regimes.
Calls were made to show those international leaders who have
congratulated Serzh Sargsyan on his "re-election" who the real
president of Armenia is; namely Raffi Hovannisian.
One speaker proposed the formation of a "public council" that would
serve as the basis for a new parliament.
One speaker, an analyst affiliated with the Heritage Party, even
claimed that the exodus from Armenia had decreased due to Raffi's
Barevolution.
Raffi Hovannisian finally took the stage and took a few minutes to
speak about the Sumgait and Baku pogroms and asked for one minute of
silence. He said that the perpetrators would pay for their actions.
The politician said that everyone in Freedom Square realizes that
they are victorious and united.
He then introduced the comedian/performance artist Vardan Petrosyan
who had specifically travelled from France to address the crowd.
To a thunderous ovation, Petrosyan said he wasn't a politician or an
analyst, nevertheless as an an Armenian he was proud of the movement
that has begun.
Petrosyan said he always held out hope that Armenians would shake
off their indifference and stand up for their rights despite the
intimidation and atmosphere of fear and voted for the candidate of
their choice.
He noted that this victory was first a victory that took place in
the mind, in the heart, in one's very soul.
He said it was no coincidence that this new awakening has taken place
25 years after the start of the Artsakh movement. The first victories
of that movement startled not only Armenians around the world but
the international community.
Petrosyan said that those who voted for change had ushered in a
serious opportunity for radical transformation in Armenia.
He said that the current regime doesn't allow families to live a
normal life in a normal country.
"The person who has truly won is the person who has succeeded in
changing his mindset," said Petrosyan.
He called on people to direct their subsequent actions according to
the highest moral and mental standards that are dear to the Armenian
people and to remain steadfast.
Raffi Hovannisian congratulated the youth of Armenia who are leading
the struggle with their actions and warned those servants of the
regime in schools and colleges to refrain from intimidating and
pressuring students.
Hovannisian then called on Serzh Sargsyan and his minions, from local
mayors to regional governors, to resign from power and apologize to
the people.
He said that no international power, west or east, could deprive the
Armenian people of their victory.
Turning to organizational issues, Hovannisian said he was ready to
listen to the people despite any anticipated disagreements.
He asked the crowd if they agreed that it was necessary to file a
petition with the Central Electoral Commission by March 2 disputing
the February 18 presidential election results.
He referred to a proposal made by Nikol Pashinyan that the movement
should disclose the make-up of a future Armenian government. This
too passed.
Hovannisian promised the crowd that together, in Freedom Square,
they would draft an agenda for the coming movement.
He announced a press conference for tomorrow at 12pm at Freedom Square,
followed by a march to Myasnikian Square to commemorate those who
died on March 1, 2008.
Hovannisian thanked other political parties who agreed to unite
He announced that another victory rally would take place on Saturday
March 2, featuring artists, civic activists and other public speakers.
Hovannisian then asked if the people were ready to continue the
struggle till power was returned to the people.
The crowd responded in the affirmative.
Hrant Gadarigian
http://hetq.am/eng/news/23953/freedom-square---raffi-hovannisian-calls-for-unity-of-purpose;-vardan-petrosyan-%E2%80%9Cthe-people-have-spoken%E2%80%9D.html
18:51, February 28, 2013
Thousands turned out under a cloudy Yerevan sky to hear what Raffi
Hovannisian had to say about the future of the movement to remove
Serzh Sargsyan from the Presidential Palace.
A representative from Armenia's student movement noted that students
would no longer tolerate undemocratic practices in colleges and
universities. She said that while the school boycott had ended,
students would engage in other civic actions in the near future.
The next speaker was singer/songwriter Ruben Hakhverdyan who confessed
that while he didn't know what the next steps were but that it was
clear that Sargsyan had to go.
Speakers then referred to the letter sent to Serzh Sargsyan by Serj
Tankian.
There were calls made for the people to unite and no longer accept
fraudulent elections and the lies of successive regimes.
Calls were made to show those international leaders who have
congratulated Serzh Sargsyan on his "re-election" who the real
president of Armenia is; namely Raffi Hovannisian.
One speaker proposed the formation of a "public council" that would
serve as the basis for a new parliament.
One speaker, an analyst affiliated with the Heritage Party, even
claimed that the exodus from Armenia had decreased due to Raffi's
Barevolution.
Raffi Hovannisian finally took the stage and took a few minutes to
speak about the Sumgait and Baku pogroms and asked for one minute of
silence. He said that the perpetrators would pay for their actions.
The politician said that everyone in Freedom Square realizes that
they are victorious and united.
He then introduced the comedian/performance artist Vardan Petrosyan
who had specifically travelled from France to address the crowd.
To a thunderous ovation, Petrosyan said he wasn't a politician or an
analyst, nevertheless as an an Armenian he was proud of the movement
that has begun.
Petrosyan said he always held out hope that Armenians would shake
off their indifference and stand up for their rights despite the
intimidation and atmosphere of fear and voted for the candidate of
their choice.
He noted that this victory was first a victory that took place in
the mind, in the heart, in one's very soul.
He said it was no coincidence that this new awakening has taken place
25 years after the start of the Artsakh movement. The first victories
of that movement startled not only Armenians around the world but
the international community.
Petrosyan said that those who voted for change had ushered in a
serious opportunity for radical transformation in Armenia.
He said that the current regime doesn't allow families to live a
normal life in a normal country.
"The person who has truly won is the person who has succeeded in
changing his mindset," said Petrosyan.
He called on people to direct their subsequent actions according to
the highest moral and mental standards that are dear to the Armenian
people and to remain steadfast.
Raffi Hovannisian congratulated the youth of Armenia who are leading
the struggle with their actions and warned those servants of the
regime in schools and colleges to refrain from intimidating and
pressuring students.
Hovannisian then called on Serzh Sargsyan and his minions, from local
mayors to regional governors, to resign from power and apologize to
the people.
He said that no international power, west or east, could deprive the
Armenian people of their victory.
Turning to organizational issues, Hovannisian said he was ready to
listen to the people despite any anticipated disagreements.
He asked the crowd if they agreed that it was necessary to file a
petition with the Central Electoral Commission by March 2 disputing
the February 18 presidential election results.
He referred to a proposal made by Nikol Pashinyan that the movement
should disclose the make-up of a future Armenian government. This
too passed.
Hovannisian promised the crowd that together, in Freedom Square,
they would draft an agenda for the coming movement.
He announced a press conference for tomorrow at 12pm at Freedom Square,
followed by a march to Myasnikian Square to commemorate those who
died on March 1, 2008.
Hovannisian thanked other political parties who agreed to unite
He announced that another victory rally would take place on Saturday
March 2, featuring artists, civic activists and other public speakers.
Hovannisian then asked if the people were ready to continue the
struggle till power was returned to the people.
The crowd responded in the affirmative.