Political rally in Yerevan – an observation.
On Friday, purely out of curiosity, I went to observe a political rally on Freedom square. The opposition parties decleared their common support for Levon Ter-Petrosian and after a one-and-a-half hour speech he decleared his candidacy for the presidential elections in February. The square in front of the opera filled up with people, different newsreports gives estimates ranging from 10 000 to 20 000 people present.
I did not understand much of the speeches, since they all were in armenian. I could simply observe the crowd. Judging from their faces, without smiles or much expression at all, I guess most of them were there out of curiosity rather than a burning political engagement for the speakers. But there were also a large number of people towards the front waving big Armenian flags and cheering whenever the speaker reached the many peaks of his speach.
Overall the rally was very calm and peacfull. I liked being there and I learned a lot about the political situation and its history from the people I spoke with there.
Links to a couple of articles concerning the rally:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav102907f.shtml
Some more coverage and photos from Friday’s opposition rally is also available at:
http://blog.oneworld.am/2007/10/27/levon-ter-petrosian-to-run-for-president/
http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/10/27/armenia-former-president-announces-new-presidential-bid/
Onnik Krikorian
October 30, 2007 at 11:49 pm
The Numbers Game
It always happens when an opposition rally is held. Local journalists start to play games with numbers depending on their political affiliations and sympathies. So, despite the consensus of opinion from independent observers and foreign wire services …
Armenian News, Analysis & Photography -- Oneworld Multimedia
October 30, 2007 at 11:49 pm
[...] non-Armenian living in the country also blogs about Friday’s rally giving us some much needed independence into proceedings and an outside view. On Friday, purely out [...]
Armenia Election Monitor 2008 » Blog Archive » 2008 Presidential Election Monitor
October 31, 2007 at 2:07 am
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The second LTP rally « Armenia and me
November 20, 2007 at 4:35 pm
good observation
steveballmer
June 8, 2008 at 10:50 am
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.
sandrar
September 10, 2009 at 3:49 pm