01 March 2014, 21:58
Rally in memory of victims of March 1, 2008, in Yerevan, gathered over 10,000 (+video)
The oppositional rally dated to the clashes of demonstrators with the police on March 1, 2008, and held in Yerevan in Freedom Square attracted more than 10,000 people. The Armenian National Congress (ANC), which organized the rally, said that civil initiatives and employees of the "Nairit", "Grand Candy" and a number of other major companies had joined them, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.
Let us remind you that on February 19, 2008, Armenia held presidential election, which was won, according to the Central Election Commission (CEC), by Serzh Sargsyan. People who disagreed with the report of the CEC went out to hold protest, which on March 1 turned into clashes with the police, resulting in 10 deaths and over 260 injured people.
The audience of the rally commemorated the casualties with a minute of silence. Speakers called on the people to consolidate and raised issues related to the political-economic situation in the country, including gas agreements, price increase for various goods and services, and the foreign policy situation.
The rally was addressed by Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the first president of Armenia, who assured that "the ANC would bring the 'March 1' case to solution; otherwise it will mean desecration of casualties' memory and destruction of statehood foundations."
"It is high time to demand resignation of President Serzh Sargsyan; and the mass protest movement unleashed in the country is another proof," he said.
The speakers of the ANC said about their plans to initiate, in the near future, in the parliament the vote of no confidence to the government, and then to the President.
Author: Armine Martirosyan Source: CK correspondent
