Environmentalists `embrace’ trees

ction
05:30 pm | May 14, 2010 | Social

Numerous young environmentalists today chained a building plot in
Yerevan’s Student Garden in protest of a construction threatening one
of the city’s few green spaces.

Some protesters were wearing gas-masks and carrying placards, "We are
the Owners of This City," "Stop," "Return Us Our Gardens," "WE Say No
to Concreting."

Commenting on the action, activist Mariam Sukhudyan told A1+ that they
wanted to show their solidarity and willpower, they wanted the
authorities to realize that the "city is not ownerless."

"We have formed a live barrier on the pavement showing our readiness
to protect the park at any cost. We are against vandalism and we are
for nature," said Sukhudyan.

The protesters left black ribbons and white carnations on the site
area which, according to them, symbolized the dead conscience and lost
mankind. They also laid flowers in clay pots at the statue of
academician Victor Hambardzumanyan and stood in silence for a moment.

A dump truck trying to exit the site was turned back when it came upon
the citizen activists determined to halt the further destruction of
Yerevan’s green spaces.

At the end of the action, the protesters "embraced" the trees and
burnt incense near the trees and stumps.

Passers-by sign the environmentalists’ petition to halt construction
at the site.