Protests against a hike in electricity rates (Armenia)
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| Protests against a hike in electricity rates | |||
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| Date | June 20, 2015–present | ||
| Location |
Armenia: Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, and almost every major city and town |
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| Goals |
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| Methods | demonstrations, sit-ins, hunger strike,[1] online activism, civil disobedience | ||
| Result | ongoing | ||
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The Protests against a hike in electricity rates (also called Electric Yerevan[2]) are ongoing mass protests against a hike in electricity rates in Armenia.[3] This protests generally organized by No to robbery group.
Background[edit]
In June 2015, the Armenian Public Services Regulatory Committee (PSRC) increased the price of electricity for the public. The cost increased to 7 drams ($0.01 USD) per kilowatt hour, and will come into effect on August 1, 2015.
Protests[edit]
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This section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2015) |
Protests began in June 2015, locally referred to as #ElectricYerevan,[4] Revolution of socket,[5] ElectroMaidan,[6] EnergoMaidan.[7] The latter two are a pun on Ukraine's Euromaidan in late 2013/early 2014. Protesters have stated that they do not wish to replicate Euromaidan and that they were angered by the suggestion in the Russian media that their protests are "a new Maidan".[8]
On 20–21 June 2015, in the "high-voltage rally", activists went on a sitting strike protesting against the price increase. At the end of the rally, a group of civil activists announced another sit-in in a central Yerevan square, which was attended by thousands of people.
On 22 June, the activists of the "high-voltage rally" marched to Baghramyan Avenue, towards the Presidential Palace and began a sit-in protest.
On 23 June, Police used water cannons on protesters. Later that same day, protesters went to Baghramyan Avenue and began a Sitdown strike.
On 24 June, the sitdown strike of the "high-voltage rally" continued for the 4th day, with no clashes between the police and the protesters.
On 25 June, during the sitdown strike, someone became ill.[9]
On 26 June, protesters also start a sit-in in Mashtots Avenue that lasted for about one hour, blocking the avenue. Organizers claimed that they would conduct another two-hour sit-in in Mashtots Avenue the next day if the decision to increase the electricity rates was not cancelled. Mashtots Avenue protesters united with Baghramyan Avenue protesters.
On 27 June, protesters closed the Mashtots Avenue and Sayat-Nova Avenue intersection and the Place de France.
On 28 June, organizers returned to Freedom Square and launched a sit-in there, but the majority of protesters did not return to Freedom Square. Police gave 30 minutes for protesters to leave Baghramyan Avenue, but the protesters refused to leave.
On 6 July, police disperses the sit-in.[10]
On 16 July, Andreas Ghukasyan and others created the "Rise up, Armenia" movement.[11]
On 21 August, Rise up, Armenia members was apprehended during rally on Republic Square,[12] but several hours after Rise up, Armenia all apprehended members freed.[13]
On 1 September, "No to robbery" launches a rally in Lovers' Park. During the rally protesters comes to Republic Square, where had been Rise up, Armenias' organized sit-in participants.
On 4 September, Rise up, Armenia organized protest in Republic Square, with 40-day sit-in occasion. In protest also participanted Pre-Parliament members.
References[edit]
- ^ Դավիթ Սանասարյանը հացադուլ է հայտարարել (տեսանյութ), Davit' Sanasaryanë hats'adul ē haytararel (tesanyut')
- ^ Small Electric Yerevan Spark -- A Big Challenge for the Armenian Government
- ^ Armenia's 'Electric Yerevan' protests enter seventh day
- ^ #ElectricYerevan: протесты в Армении | Новое Время
- ^ Революция розеток — Политика — Новая Газета
- ^ Электромайдан: Почему тысячи армян вышли на улицы Еревана и не уходят уже несколько дней
- ^ Полиция разогнала «энергомайдан» в Ереване — Российская газета
- ^ Armenians dance at round-the-clock electricity protest, BBC News (29 June 2015)
'ElectricYerevan' Protesters Chafe At Comparisons To Ukraine's Euromaidan, Radio Free Europe (27 June 2015) - ^ Բաղրամյան պողոտայում վատացել է երիտասարդ ցուցարարներից մեկը (Ֆոտո)
- ^ Ոստիկանները հեռացրեցին ցուցարարներին, Բաղրամյանում երթևեկությունը վերականգնվեց
- ^ Ստեղծվել է «Ոտքի՛, Հայաստան» շարժման Խորհուրդ. Հայտարարություն
- ^ «Ոտքի՛, Հայաստան» նախաձեռնության անդամներ են բերման ենթարկվել
- ^ Անդրիաս Ղուկասյանը ազատ է արձակվել (ֆոտո)
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