Protesters at #ElectricYerevan on June 26.
The #ElectricYerevan protest has been making headlines not only in Armenia, but around the world. Several leading media organizations have been covering the now country-wide protests against electricity rate hikes expected to kick in on August 1.
The Republic of Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission unanimously approved an increase in rates on June 17. The Russian-managed Electric Networks Armenia Company has come under fire for gross mismanagement and accumulating huge debts, which many Armenian consumers feel they will have to carry the burden for.
Since June 22, protesters have staged a 24-hour sit-in on Baghramyan Avenue, a major thoroughfare in the capital city, basically paralyzing the downtown core. After security forces tried to disperse the crowd in the early morning hours of June 23 through excessive use of force, thousands have been gathering every night in a show of solidarity.
Here we present some of the headlines about the protest from different media organizations.
June 26, 2015
Yerevan Vows To Go Ahead With Rate Hikes Despite Protests
Radio Free Europe | June 26, 2015
The Armenian government has refused to reverse electricity price hikes, as protest rallies in the capital entered their second week.
Armenia Protesters Hold Firm After Govt Rejects Demands
The Daily Star | June 26, 2015
YEREVAN: Hundreds of Armenian protesters remained camped out near the presidential palace early Friday after the government refused to heed their week-long calls against hikes in electricity prices.
This is Not Armenia’s Maidan Moment – yet
Al Jazeera | June 26, 2015
As an estimated 10,000 people in Armenia joined round-the-clock protests over a recent rise in electricity prices on June 24, demonstrators sensed a turning point on the fourth day of this outpouring of discontent. The turning point was evident as scores of normally disengaged, first-time protesters descended on the protest site to show solidarity and support.
June 25, 2015
‘Electric Yerevan’ protesters dig in as tensions flare in Armenia
i24 News | June 25, 2015
Public anger has mounted over a move by a Russian-owned company to hike power prices by more than 16%. Hundreds of demonstrators in the Armenian capital ignored police calls to disperse on Wednesday, digging in for a new day of protests against electricity price hikes and police violence
Armenia’s ‘Electric Yerevan’ Protests Enter Seventh Day
The Telegraph | June 25, 2015
Mass protests in the Armenian capital against a hike in electricity tariffs entered their seventh day on Thursday, with both government figures and opposition leaders refusing to blink in a deepening standoff that has brought parts of Yerevan to a standstill.
Armenia: ‘Electric Yerevan’ Protest Continues as Russian Propaganda Blames US
International Business Times | June 25, 2015
Street protests that have engulfed Armenia’s capital, unsettled Russia and raised the concern of rights groups were poised to continue as the government refused demonstrator’s demand to reverse a rise in electricity prices.
‘Armenia is Not a New Maidan. Please Don’t Make it One’
The Guardian | June 25, 2015
Many Russian analysts are hurrying to suggest that this week’s protests in Yerevan and their suppression by the Armenian government are the opening round of a new Maidan – an anti-Moscow action promoted and exploited by the west as part of a broader geopolitical struggle.
Standoff in Armenia Continues, No End in Sight
AJC | June 25, 2015
YEREVAN, Armenia — Armenia’s premier has rejected demonstrators’ demand to annul a hike in electricity prices, a stance that signals no end in sight for the worst unrest the ex-Soviet nation has seen in years.
Russia Sees US Plot in Yerevan Protests
EurasiaNet | June 25, 2015
When a Russian TV reporter went live from the Yerevan protests last night, a poster behind her read “Russia 24: Go to hell,” to use a mellow translation of the original choice of words.
The crowd gathered around the journalist was angry that Russian media draws parallels between their protest against higher electricity fees from a Russian-owned power company and Ukraine’s pro-Western uprising in 2013.
June 24, 2015
Armenian Protesters Block Road for Third Day Over Energy Hikes
Al Jazeera America | June 24, 2015
A standoff between police and demonstrators protesting a hike in electricity prices blocked the central avenue in Armenia’s capital on Wednesday for a third straight day, with no visible progress toward resolving the worst unrest that the impoverished former Soviet nation has seen in years.
Armenia Protests Escalate After Police Turn on Demonstrators
The Guardian | June 24, 2015
Thousands of Armenians have taken to the streets to protest against electricity rate hikes, marching on the presidential palace and staging all-night sit-ins around the main square of the capital, leading to fears in Moscow of a Ukraine-style popular uprising.
Armenia’s Electric Yerevan Protests – in Pictures
The Guardian | June 24, 2015
Protesters call for new ‘day of action’ after thousands take to the streets to denounce fuel price hikes and police violence
‘Electric Yerevan’ Protesters Dig in as Tensions Flare in Armenia
AFP | June 24, 2015
Hundreds of demonstrators in the Armenian capital ignored police calls to disperse on Wednesday, digging in for a new day of protests against electricity price hikes and police violence.
9,000 ‘Electric Yerevan’ Protesters Flood Armenian Capital
AFP | June 24, 2015
More than 9,000 demonstrators rallied in the Armenian capital on Wednesday, an AFP reporter said, defying police calls to abandon their protest against electricity price hikes and police violence.
Armenian Voices Sound Off at ‘Electric Yerevan’
Global Voices | June 24, 2015
Thousands of residents of the national capital Yerevan have taken to the streets to voice their unhappiness with electricity rate hikes.
Thousands Protest in Armenian Capital Amid Economic Hardship
The Wall Street Journal | June 24, 2015
Thousands of protesters rallied near the presidential residence in the capital of Armenia in the South Caucasus in the first shock wave of discontent over economic hardship sparked by recession in regional heavyweight Russia.
Armenians Block Main Road in Yerevan as Protest Against Electricity Hikes Enters 3rd Day
U.S News | June 24, 2015
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Thousands of demonstrators protesting a hike in electricity prices entered a third straight day of standoffs with police in Armenia’s capital Wednesday, with no visible progress toward resolving the worst unrest the country has seen in years.
What Armenians are Protesting (and What They’re Not)
Open Democracy | June 24, 2015
Last night, some 6,000 people marched towards President Serzh Sargsyan’s residence in Yerevan. Water cannons against protesters have been used against participants in what has already been dubbed ‘Electric Yerevan’ in reference to the cause of the protests: rising energy prices.
Armenian Police Disperse Thousands Protesting Energy Prices
The Daily Star | June 24, 2015
YEREVAN (Reuters) : Armenian police used water cannon to disperse thousands of people protesting in the capital Yerevan Tuesday against a hike in electricity prices and detained more than 200 of them.
Armenian Protesters Block Road for 3rd Day Over Energy Hikes
The New York Times | June 24, 2015
YEREVAN, Armenia — Thousands of demonstrators protesting a hike in electricity prices entered a third straight day of standoffs with police in Armenia’s capital Wednesday, with no visible progress toward resolving the worst unrest the country has seen in years.
‘Electric Yerevan’ Protesters Dig in as Tensions Flare in Armenia
Gulf News | June 24, 2015
Yerevan (Armenia): Hundreds of demonstrators in the Armenian capital ignored police calls to disperse on Wednesday, digging in for a new day of protests against electricity price hikes and police violence.
Armenian Protests: Thousands Rally Against Energy Price Hike
BBC | June 24, 2015
Thousands of people in the Armenian capital Yerevan have taken part in renewed protests against rising electricity prices. At least 6,000 made a second attempt to march to the presidential residence on Tuesday evening, reports said.
June 23, 2015
Armenia’s ‘Electric Yerevan’ Protesters Return to Streets Despite Arrests and Water Blasts
New York Times | June 23, 2015
Thousands of protesters confronted riot police in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, for a second night on Tuesday, just hours after a previous demonstration was dispersed with blasts of water and more than 200 arrests.
Special Report: Police Attack Peaceful Energy Protesters in Armenia
Georgia Today | June 23, 2015
A four-day long peaceful protest was brutally dispersed by police forces in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, early this morning, June 23.
Thousands in Armenia Protest Steep Hikes in Electricity Rates
The Washington Post | June 23, 2015
Thousands of protesters returned to a main thoroughfare of downtown Yerevan, Armenia, on Tuesday evening, facing down riot police to protest steep electricity price increases planned in the economically strapped country.
Armenians Resume Energy Price Protests, Defying Police
The New York Times | June 23, 2015
YEREVAN — Thousands of Armenians staged a second day of protests on Tuesday in the capital Yerevan against a hike in electricity prices, defying police who used water cannon to try to disperse them.
Armenian Police Break up Protests at Electricity Price Rise in Yerevan
EuroNews | June 23, 2015
More than 5000 people took to the streets of the Armenian capital Yerevan on Tuesday morning. Blocked from reaching the presidential palace when they were confronted by a wall of riot police, they began a sit-down protest blocking one of the city’s main roads.
Reuters: Armenians Resume Energy Price Protests, Defying Police
Kiev Post | June 23, 2015
YEREVAN – Thousands of Armenians staged a second day of protests on June 23 in the capital Yerevan against a hike in electricity prices, defying police who used water cannon to try to disperse them.
