“They are creating new elite”
Scores of Armenians today held a protest action outside the government building where the parliament was convening a special sitting.
The protesters demanded that the legislative body rescind the draft amendments to the RA Law "On Language" which implies reopening of foreign-language schools in Armenia.
The protesters were shouting "No to foreign-language schools," "No concessions," "If you are for the bill, you must resign," "Education in Armenia should be in Armenian." They whistled at the sight of coalition deputies and sang patriotic songs.
Leader of Armenian Aryan Union Armen Avetisyan says language is a means of expressing one's gens and any violation against language is a violation against gens.
"Armenians survived throughout centuries thanks to their genetic mentality and language. To deprive Armenia of that last mighty weapon - the genetic mentality - means to finally annihilate the Armenian nation. The deputies intending to vote for the amendments will vote for the erasing of Armenian gen.
American Armenian Vardges Hakobyan says the protesters are determined in their struggle. "Even the Ottoman Empire was unable to destroy our language. Our children should get education in Armenian," he said.
Writer Marine Petrosyan sees another menace in the draft amendments. "Some people plan to create new elite. With the opening of foreign-schools they want to separate themselves from the society."
