Activist resigns from job to be able to join protest against electricity price hike
Vaghinak Shushanyan, a member of the No to Plunder initiative campaigning against the rise in electricity tariffs has resigned from his job so that he can join the protesters in Yerevan’s Liberty Square. Members of the initiative have been holding a sit-in protest in Liberty Square since Friday evening. They demand that the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) revoke its decision to raise electricity prices in Armenia by AMD 6.93. “I resigned from work to participate in the protests. Many might think that I am doing PR for my personal interests or I want to show off, but those who know me, will understand me,” Vaghinak Shushanyan told A1+. While the activist does not advise anyone to follow suit, he says his dismissal will allow him to participate in the protest all day long. “I just want people to understand what steps a person can take, when, deprived of his livelihood, he takes to the street and stays outdoors determined not to allow an increase of a single penny,” Vaghinak said. The activist is sure that the struggle will produce results. This is the second time he has resigned from job. “In December, I left my previous job upon my request after I realized that the director of the company I was working for was subjected to pressure. I did not want the same story to repeat therefore I handed in my resignation again,” he said. The activist reminded that they had given the Armenian authorities until Monday evening to revoke the PSRC’s decision, warning that otherwise they would organize a march towards the Presidential Palace. “If we do not received an answer before 6 pm, we shall go to Baghramyan 26, to the person [Serzh Sargsyan] with poor hearing to make our demands audible for him,” Vaghinak said.
