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CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE AGAINST PAID PARKING INEVITABLE IN ARMENIA - OPINIONS (VIDEO)
13:38 08.08.13
The Yerevan City Hall's decision to introduce fees for car parking
has raised a wave of protest among both drivers and civic activist,
as well as political figures.
Activists are preparing for a civil disobedience campaign to which
the drivers express support.
It is now several days the plan is being actively discussed in
Yerevan's Mashtots Park. Ani Kaghinyan, an activist speaking to our
correspondent, said their efforts will succeed in case drivers are
willing to join the campaign. "It is our sidewalk, and belongs to the
Yerevan residents. So no company has a right to earn money on that,"
she said, considering a public revolt inevitable.
The new procedure will be effective beginning September. No fees will
be charged from drivers who park cars for less than five minutes.
Under the new rules, the payment will be made without cash. Drivers
can also opt for short message texting services.
Addressing the problem, the former presidential candidate Andrias
Ghukasyan said he considers civil disobedience absolutely possible.
"We see the society does not find the decision legitimate; people
have no idea of what service they get in return," he said.
Styopa Safaryan, a member of the opposition Barev Yerevan (Hello
Yerevan) bloc, said those disputing the measure have to do everything
within their power to prove their standpoint. "I cannot express
disobedience; if there are people who do, it is their right," he said.
Safaryan, who is a secretary of the opposition Heritage party,
didn't rule out the possibility of a civic campaign either. "We have
received several acts for fines. If they announce now that they will
be effective beginning September, for example, that won't leave the
citizens satisfied either," he added.
The politician noted that an earlier protest in front of the
municipality saw each driver holding over 40 acts. "If we see people
complaining every day, then it is time to make calls for refusing to
pay," he said, promising support to the people.
All the drivers speaking to Tert.am expressed willingness to protest
the new measure. Some were concerned, however, that they will be fined
and face tough sanctions, but they too promised to join the campaign
in case there is a unanimous decision.
"I never park my car at those stations; this is how I express my
protest," an elderly driver told our correspondent.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/08/08/disobedience1/
13:38 08.08.13
The Yerevan City Hall's decision to introduce fees for car parking
has raised a wave of protest among both drivers and civic activist,
as well as political figures.
Activists are preparing for a civil disobedience campaign to which
the drivers express support.
It is now several days the plan is being actively discussed in
Yerevan's Mashtots Park. Ani Kaghinyan, an activist speaking to our
correspondent, said their efforts will succeed in case drivers are
willing to join the campaign. "It is our sidewalk, and belongs to the
Yerevan residents. So no company has a right to earn money on that,"
she said, considering a public revolt inevitable.
The new procedure will be effective beginning September. No fees will
be charged from drivers who park cars for less than five minutes.
Under the new rules, the payment will be made without cash. Drivers
can also opt for short message texting services.
Addressing the problem, the former presidential candidate Andrias
Ghukasyan said he considers civil disobedience absolutely possible.
"We see the society does not find the decision legitimate; people
have no idea of what service they get in return," he said.
Styopa Safaryan, a member of the opposition Barev Yerevan (Hello
Yerevan) bloc, said those disputing the measure have to do everything
within their power to prove their standpoint. "I cannot express
disobedience; if there are people who do, it is their right," he said.
Safaryan, who is a secretary of the opposition Heritage party,
didn't rule out the possibility of a civic campaign either. "We have
received several acts for fines. If they announce now that they will
be effective beginning September, for example, that won't leave the
citizens satisfied either," he added.
The politician noted that an earlier protest in front of the
municipality saw each driver holding over 40 acts. "If we see people
complaining every day, then it is time to make calls for refusing to
pay," he said, promising support to the people.
All the drivers speaking to Tert.am expressed willingness to protest
the new measure. Some were concerned, however, that they will be fined
and face tough sanctions, but they too promised to join the campaign
in case there is a unanimous decision.
"I never park my car at those stations; this is how I express my
protest," an elderly driver told our correspondent.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/08/08/disobedience1/