Protesters brought a bell
There were many people standing near the Government building today once again and they were whistling and screaming "Shame, if you're for it, leave".
The initiating group "We are against the opening of foreign language schools" called on NA deputies not to adopt a law on opening foreign language schools.
The action participants demanded the resignation of Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan.
Participating in the action was 83-year old Arpine Hayrapetyan on a wheelchair. She came to Armenia from Lebanon with the purpose of not losing the language.
"I look around me and find nobody speaking Armenian. I see children speaking Russian with their parents. Why do I need to have an independent Armenia?" she asked.
According to Hayrapetyan, citizens of Armenia want to have a free country so that the Armenians who emigrated will return, but the opposite is taking place. She says opening foreign language schools will not stop emigration.
ARF representative Movses Margaryan was holding a sign reading "Language is not property in exchange of debt" and explained why he was holding the sign. "Those who own property want to sell language as well. This will lead to the outflow of Armenians."
Freelance journalist Gevorg Yazirtchian had brought a blessed bell to the government building today. "The church is not with us and I have brought these blessed bells with me," he said.
According to Chairman of the Armenian Liberal (Ramkavar) Party Harutyun Arakelyan, the problem is that though it is stated that there will be 15 schools, the number of children to study there is not specified.
