WOMEN DEMONSTRATE IN YEREVAN

Defying a state of emergency, more than two dozen women marched in Yerevan on Saturday to pay their respects to at least eight people killed in the March 1 clashes between security forces and supporters of opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian. The protest was timed to coincide with International Women’s Day, which is marked as a public holiday in Armenia. Police urged the women clad in black to disperse but avoided using force. The 20-day state of emergency declared by President Robert Kocharian bans all public gatherings in the capital. Escorted by dozens of police officers, the small crowd walked down a street in central Yerevan where riot police fought pitched battles with thousands of Ter-Petrosian supporters demanding a rerun of Armenia’s disputed presidential election. The protesters tied black ribbons and white carnations to trees lining the street. They then stopped by a nearby church and prayed for the dead before proceeding to a major street intersection outside the Yerevan municipality where tens of thousands of people barricaded themselves on March 1. Police allowed some of the protesters to lay flowers at a podium from which Ter-Petrosian’s associates addressed the crowd. “It’s been seven days since the massacre,” one young woman told RFE/RL. “We have gathered to pray for their souls.” “We came out so that they know that it is not easy to demoralize us,” said another. “We will keep coming out even if they kill us.” Several other protesters said their sons and other family members are among at least 60 opposition activists and supporters arrested by the authorities following the deadly clashes. “They beat up and jailed my son,” said one of them. “He is now facing three to six years in prison for chanting ‘Levon!’” Another elderly woman said her son was set free after spending one day in police custody. “I am very proud of my boy,” she said. (Photolur photo)

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Discussion

70 days before | remove (5) | reply
Hay wrote:
Shnorhavor Dzer Marti 8...apreq, bravo, payqar payqar minchev verj!!!
70 days before | remove (5) | reply
VAHAGNANANDA wrote:
The word "PAYKAR" is not the right word to use for inner country problems. "PAYKAR" can be used for outer enemies. Like "PAYKAR to free our historic lands from Turkey". BUT if the users of this dangerous word KNOWINGLY use the term, IT BECOMES THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S OBLIGATION to review the identity and the intention of the person using it. Who knows, may be he is a foreign country activist or may be a terrorist... We know in our values a VERY nationalistic person won't marry an "Odar"... Let's check what kind of an "Odar" wife your "PAYKAR" word ... initiator keeps at home... Thanks...
69 days before | remove (5) | reply
Gagik wrote:
there is no need to become emotional.
“We will keep coming out even if they kill us.” who is killing you?
69 days before | remove (5) | reply
Henry wrote:
Aprek, bravo, getze mer sourp Hay kanaike

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