Parallel to Raffi Hovannisan's hunger strike is a diverse and active group of youth who have been staging a sit-in in Freedom Square, calling for Serzh Sarkissian to step down.
“We all know
that Raffi won the elections,” says Narek Varazdatyan, a staunch young ally of
Hovnannisian participating in the sit-in. “We are calling for Serzh Sarkissian
to vacate Baghramian 26 [the Presidential Palace]. I personally will be sitting
here until he leaves.”
The youth number about 30, give or take.
They hold placards, sing songs, and dance in protest of the fraudelent elections and in support of a democratic Armenia.
Whether coincidentally or not, I found them sitting singing "Gini Lits" (the song dedicated to the assassanitation of Talaat Pasha) a day before Soghomon Tehlirian's famous operation's anniversary.
Some among them are Heritage Party youth, while others are from the ARF, People's Party, Armenian National Congress, or various civic initiatives or just concerned citizens.
For me, these youth represent a more hopeful model for change than the individualistic approach taken by political parties and figures on the political scene in Armenia. Through their collective, unified, and horizontal activism, they present a more healthy alternative and road map for where the opposition needs to go than anything else. Furthermore, they are basing their action on a clear sense of national responsibility and a desire for a future based on justice and deepening democracy.
No comments:
Post a Comment