36  24 hours in Mashtots park: activists vs. boutiques

Environmental activists protest construction in Yerevan park

Environmental activists protest construction in Yerevan park

PanARMENIAN.Net - It has been about ten days already that a group of activists keep protesting against the ongoing construction in Mashtots Park, a central park in Yerevan downtown.

Clothing boutiques on Abovyan street sidewalks were dismantled in late January by the order of Yerevan mayor Taron Margaryan and relocated to Mashtots Park, one of the few remaining large green areas in Yerevan.

This drew attention of various activist groups, including “We are the Owners of Our City” and “Our City” civil initiatives as well as individual activists who gathered in the park demanding that the construction be halted there. Activists organized a sit-in in the park taking shifts to block the construction which they believe violates the environmental and urban development legislation of the country.

On February 20, the protesters marched to Yerevan municipality trying to negotiate with Mayor Taron Margaryan on Mashtots park future. However, the mayor never showed up to meet the protesters, and they handed a letter to a municipality representative asking to provide documents on the status of Mashtots park, the construction permit, etc.

Municipality representative said the protesters’ demands will be considered, meanwhile, the construction will continue in the park. Following the failure to meet with the mayor, activists returned to the park and stopped the construction for a while.

Freelance journalist and environmental activist Bayandur Poghosyan went on a hunger strike on February 21 and called on everyone to join him.

The police who gathered on the site said they did not come to disperse the protesters but rather to provide for everyone’s security and prevent the activists and workers from injuring each other.

Representatives of different political forces, including the opposition Heritage party, the Armenian National Congress and ARF Dashnaktsutyun voiced their support to the activists. Some artists and singers also back the environmentalists with their occasional visits to the site.

Eventually, Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan issued a statement on February 21 on Mashtots park.

The statement, in particular, says: “Construction of temporary boutiques in the non-green area adjacent to Mashtots park has sparked wide public response. Various viewpoints are voiced, mostly of emotional character. I believe it is time to exchange reasonable arguments to achieve public consensus.

The facts are as follows: permanent constructions located mostly on Abovyan street sidewalks and green areas were dismantled due to efforts of Yerevan municipality. Several alternative areas, including the territory adjacent to the park between Mashtots avenue and Yeznik Koghbatsi street were offered to store owners. It should be noted that these territories will be provided temporarily, before the final implementation of the “Old Yerevan” program.

Despite negative assessments voiced recently, I am glad to see our citizens worry about the problems and future of our beloved Yerevan.

I would also like to inform that the areas on Abovyan street that used to be occupied by the dismantled stores will be totally renovated; trees will also be planted there. As to the park territory, it will also be restored and renovated. The green area will be restored and expanded, the irrigation network and slabs will be restored, benches and litter-bins will be installed, and outdoor lighting will be provided.

I am convinced that any issue related to Yerevan can be settled in a civilized manner, in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and for the benefit of our city.”

According to an agreement reached on February 21 late at night, the construction is stopped until the week-end. The activists expect to get a response from the police and the court in a three-day period; otherwise they will resume the protest actions. Activist Bayandur Poghosyan has stopped his hunger strike.

However, an hour ago reports came that the struggle for the park continues. Protesters plan to organize a concert in the park today, and call on volunteers to come to the site to ensure public awareness.

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