Speakers at the mass public rally now taking place in Yerevan’s Republic Square spurned the government’s offer of conducting snap parliamentary elections, arguing that all elections organized by the ruling Republic of Armenia Party (RPA) have been fraudulent.
Anti-government movement representatives say they are in agreement with the idea of holding elections to form a new government and thus extricate the country from the current political impasse but not under RPA sponsorship.
Speakers announced the names of various government and police officials, including minor political parties, who have declared their support of the movement to effect regime change in Armenia.
Several of these officials addressed the crowd, numbering in the tens of thousands, voicing their support of the mass popular movement now taking place in Armenia.
Protest leader Nikol Pashinyan thanked those police officials who have broken ranks and now support the movement, telling the crowds that it is imperative for the people and the police to forge a new relationship in which law enforcement defends the rights of citizens rather than defending the interests of the ruling class.
Negotiations scheduled for today between Nikol Pashinyan and acting prime minister Karen Karapetyan were cancelled at the last minute. Karapetyan balked, arguing that the opposition had placed new demands regarding the format and agenda of the talks.
Rally speakers stressed the need for the establishment of the rule of law in Armenia, ushering in peaceful harmony amongst all citizens, arguing that peace in Armenia would also pave the way for a peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict.
Zara Batoyan, a disabled human rights and feminist activist, called on all women to take their equal place in the future affairs of the country. She called on women to open t...
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