PARTICIPANTS OF RALLY IN DEFENCE OF SPEECH FREEDOM AND "GALA" TV COMPANY DEMAND ENDING PERSECUTIONS OF "GALA"
Noyan Tapan
Dec 20 2007
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. "Free People of Yerevan are with
You" – this and other placards were carried by participants of the
December 19 rally in Gyumri: students from Yerevan, numerous residents
of Gyumri and those from about 30 settlements of Shirak marz who came
to express their support for "Gala" TV company. Speeches were made in
particular by the chairman of the "Asparez" club Levon Barseghian,
the leader of "Aylntrank" inititaive Nikol Pashinian, member of the
"Orinats Yerkir" party, NA deputy Hovhannes Margarian and the chairman
of the "Democratic Homeland" party Petros Makeyan.
"Those who infringe on our rights will be punished under the law. They
will be punished by God and by the public’s comtemp. This day will
come," Levon Barseghian stated.
H. Margarian said that residents of Gyumri are ready to take any
step in order to protect their dignity. In his words, "Gala" is an
island in Gyumri, and everybody capable of expressing his free will
in broadcasts of "Gala" needs it as much as air and water.
Stating once again that "Gala" TV company is being subjected to
pressure after it broadcast the September 21 speech of the first
Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosian, the rally participants adopted
an application, in which they demand that the respective bodies stop
persecuations of "Gala".