PICKETERS DEMAND TO SANCTION THE RALLY

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[08:02 pm] 14 May, 2008

Today scores of Armenian citizens staged a picket in front of the
City Hall of Yerevan in protest against the City Hall’s disregard
for their notifications of rallies. They demanded a meeting with
Mayor Erwand Zakharian. But the policemen banned their access to the
building chaining the entrance.

The picketers began chanting, "We call for justice," "Freedom,"
"Free and Independent Armenia."

"The City Hall didn’t accept our notification of holding a rally
at Liberty Square on May 23-24. It is already the 28th time the
City Hall has refused our notifications on groundless motivations,"
says HHSh member Norik Norikian. "Here are our demands: firstly, to
secure our representative’s presence in the sitting where the issue
of rallies is put under consideration.

Secondly, we demand the authorities to carry out the PACE
recommendations. And thirdly, the Armenian leadership should accept
our notification of the May 23-24 rally.

The Mayor didn’t receive the protesters today though they waited for
him for two hours. picketers were told that the authorized employee
was out and couldn’t receive them.

It is a great tragedy that a Mayor cannot receive a citizen. We shall
be consistent. We shall hold a rally at Liberty Square if they don’t
change their attitude towards us," said the picketers.