Students afraid of participating in rallies
"I want to see legitimate elections so that I can decide who to vote for. Nobody wants to see bloodshed, but the way I see it, we won't get anywhere peacefully," YSU student Lilit told "A1+".
Most students of Yerevan State University consider the round-the-clock rallies with the demand for change of power and snap presidential elections a historical period for the National Renaissance and the rise of ideology.
"It seems as though students should have been the ones carrying the heavy burden of freeing the country of dictators, as is the case in more or less civilized countries. It should have been the mass that has not only intellect to understand the price of freedom, but is also capable of carrying the burden. After all, that freedom will be for us, not the elder generation," Geography Faculty student Aram told "A1+", adding with regret that most students are passive.
"I am aware of the events taking place at the square today. People are gathering and holding a sitting strike to live more freely in their country. Living freely is not just a fair, but also a natural demand. Even if there is no revolution, at least they will see positive changes. I don't attend the rallies because my mother fears for my safety. If my father hadn't left for abroad in search of work, he would definitely go to the rallies and I would be with him," international affairs student Seda Nazaryan said.
Arab studies expert Zaruhi Nersisyan doesn't believe the rallies will be agents for change in Armenia. "Whoever comes to power, studying and getting employed will be the same process in Armenia. This is the nation's mindset. I won't go to the rallies because I don't believe that the situation will truly change," Zaruhi Nersisyan said.
Why don't most students attend the rallies? In response, Yeranui said: "It is natural. Throughout history, the entire nation has never been united as one during a revolution. Most people are born and die without changing anything. Only the select have made history, and that is the sweetness of victory."
According to Yeranuhi, with their power and awareness, all people the people standing at the square are equivalent to 1,000 citizens not standing at the square.
