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  • Green for good
    by NAZIK ARMENAKIAN
    More than 50 citizens of Armenia—including political figures, cultural workers, and prominent members of other sectors — have joined the environmental activists’ struggle in Mashtots Park. On two occasions, during peaceful protests activists attempted to dismantle the retail boutiques in the park.
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    • Msshots Park

      Mashtots Park

      For more than 80 days environmental activists had been protesting in the small park next to Mashtots Boulevard, downtown Yerevan, against the construction of kiosks earlier dismantled from the sidewalk of another central avenue (Abovyan Street). 

    • Activism and Education

      Activism and Education

      WITHIN THE SCOPE OF CIVIC ACTIVISM, DEMONSTRATIONS, FILM SCREENINGS (INCLUDING DOCUMENTARY FILMS ON ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM) AND CONCERTS ARE ORGANIZED DAILY AT MASHTOTS PARK.  

    • Protesters Unite

      Oligarchy Burial Ceremony

      Environmental Activists staged an "oligarchy burial ceremony". Since high-ranking officials and politicians ruling the country are widely considered oligarchs, the approach presented a unique form of protest.

    • Protesters Unite

      Environmentalists’ Struggle

      Well-known scholars joined the young activists setting up ten "dismantling brigades" to take apart kiosks in the park. On April 29, 2012, clashes between activists and police resulted in some light injuries on both sides, with seven activists briefly detained.

    • Msshots Park

      The Struggle Expands

      Dozens of young conservationists participated in an around-the-park sit-in at Mashtots Park. Although the police had used force to dismantle the tent, several activists continue to spend nights there.

    • Msshots Park

      The Activist Leaders

      The Mashtots Park struggle is seen as a victory in both raising awareness and a step towards a healthy civil society.

    • Artur Grigoryan, 30, is a lawyer and has been involved in the movement since 2009. He examines and highlights offenses and violations documented by the movement. He believes the Mashtots Park protests to be a victory, despite the on-going legal fight.
    • Arpine Galfayan, 29, works at the Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR). As an activist, she believes the movement extends beyond its environmental implications and helps promote civil society.
    • Gor Hakobyan, 29, is a politician and activist and has been involved in the movement since 2008. Like Galfayan, he believes that the Mashtots Parks struggle is a victory both in raising awareness and a step towards building a civil society.
    • Lena Nazaryan, 29, is a reporter and joined the environmental movement in 2007. Lena describes the struggle for Mashtots Park in Yerevan as a victory for the park, but also helps create new platforms for future struggles. s.
    • Hasmik Martirosyan, 24, joined the General Environmental Group in 2011. Hasmik is a commodity specialist and is passionate about the environmental movement.
  • Green for good
    Epilogue
    The initial protests against the illegal construction that resulted in the destruction of green spaces and trees in Yerevan, evolved into explorations of citizen self-determination and the public interest. The fight against corruption and oligarchy will continue.
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