Unpacking The Tavush To Yerevan Protest Movement

In this episode of the Civilnet Podcast, host Patrick Elliott and Eric Hacopian unpack the protest movement led by archbishop Bagrat Srpazan Galstanyan, sparked by the delimitation agreement with Azerbaijan over sections of the border in Armenia’s northeastern Tavush region. They explore the movement, its leaders, their demands, as well as who is taking part and why, and finally analyze whether or not this movement poses a real threat to the current government.
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[@shaqueha.5017]

💯🙏People have all the rights to be concern. We can not and shouldn't trust azeri's words or their paper. PM crossed many Red Lines with his peace project. I think this was the last drop. Somebody had to stop him, and make him to take a step back, and see where he is going. Even Lemkin Institute warned PM today, for his speech at 24th of April and his behavior towards our people, History, Culture enz..🚩

[@eddytown]

Someone give this man a couple of alternatives to “unpacking.”

[@77ll77]

Here is the funny part, so far I haven't heard any alternatives or solutions to stopping the process, from noone! what is the suggestion here... Nothing just mumbling! It's typical Armenian process... We know it all, you are wrong and we are right... Disappointing

[@adobo6905]

"One dog barks at something, and a hundred dogs bark at the bark"

[@SFSarkis]

Ty for the clarity on this contentious time.

[@karinegregorian937]

It is bizarre that talking about opposition you omit the national democratic opposition. By talking about opposition as only the opposition backed by the previous authorities you popularise the current government which in its turn manipulates the people with the fear of war, the previous authorities coming back to power, bad quality of life. It is not unusual to have many opportunistic politicians mingle with the popular movement. But the fact is undeniable: people are not buying the current government way of ruling. At this time all national democratic parties must firm the coalition block and change the government

[@nelliakara7403]

Thank you!

[@arsenghasabyan2141]

I am concerned that Eric may not be entirely honest here. When you mentioned a 'mixed reaction,' did you mean that residents of these villages are VERY worried and Nikol Pasha’s party is strongly supporting it? If so, it appears they are continuing the process of unilateral succession, which Armenian citizens do not favor. I understand the reasons for Eric to be worried with a potential unrest, etc. but his impartiality is the single most important thing I value the most. Please don’t sacrifice it to lobby some questionable interests.

[@adobo6905]

"One dog barks at something, and a hundred dogs bark at the bark"

[@alicawhite453]

Thanks a lot. As always, it's a great pleasure watching you. It's very informative

[@AsInLifeSoInMusic]

Stop using the word 'unpack' in interviews, it's a tired one. Every amateur podcaster has been using the bejesus out of it.

[@m_r_menian]

Eric, are you sure the villages being given away do not belong to Armenia? I have heard otherwise from different sources.

[@gilbertovanessian6998]

Eric changed direction right there

[@taronpiloyan7143]

I knew the kid was from Canada the minute he said "hectars". It's "acres", buddy.

[@noricd]

Thank you. I found this conversation enormously clear and informative. Below I'm quoting the overview I'm sharing now in a Facebook group in the country where I live. "1. At the outset let it be noted that Eric Hacopian's estimated 20,000 at the Thursday night Republic Square gathering was the largest anti-government protest since 2018. Also noteworthy, as evident in drone coverage I saw, it was a mixed crowd in terms of gender, though still mostly it seems older people. 2. Hacopian's assessment is that the Bagrat Srpazan movement is supported by these elements: (1) individuals from the church, (2) Dashnaktsutyun within Armenia and the diaspora (I've seen that as very clearly transparent from my own observations), and (3) the Kocharian family. Hacopian says that today (Friday, Yerevan time) the movement was supported by Gagik Tsarukyan / (Գագիկ Ծառուկյան) (aka Dodi Gago). There were also others involved. 3. In Hacopian's view the movement has a clear nationalist bent in its posture, but at least currently lacks any stated position or policy as regards three other elements Hacopian assesses as essential for currently growing a popular mass movement in Armenia. Those elements are having: (1) a defence policy and posture, (2) a Western-orientation, and (3) anti-Russian positioning. 4. In Hacopian's view the church in Armenia has marginal political influence, compared to decades ago. As is widely believed, a reason for that is because of connection with corruption at the top of the church hierarchy.

[@ceramica.detail]

A typical Nikolagan statement..

[@user-vr6io5xb9e]

Free Armenia 😊

[@kevinshaknazarian1904]

Thank you for all the work you do

[@user-ce3wk2rz3g]

Would someone mind mentioning to him that burping on camera can be bothersome for some viewers? (With all due respect)

[@HKasparyan]

Would distinguish, analytically, between "Truth" and its foundation of nobility, ethics, logic, and righteousness, Versus, "Reality “. Secondly, politics and religion are contradictory, not just opposites, two human phenomena and philosophies, stark contrast to each other but both important. Gov/Politics, realize there are differences, can only be criticized/judged on their effectiveness to manage and control nations status-quo REALITY, maximizing leverage and minimizing risks and threats. Truth, preached on personal levels and affairs. The question arises; are we, as nation, under critical constraints and threats (ideally dictated by our National Security realization) prisoned to our geopolitical choices, such as confronting the regime at Baku, and do not mean just war as option, dictating and limiting our incumbent government to evade and avoid direct confrontation, again not just militarily? As nation, probably need pessimistic mindsets - to hope for the best, but plan for the worst, at the same time optimistic will to standup for the worst scenario and not just win any confrontation, but importantly win the Peace.

[@aliagayev8356]

I heard Tajik Aliyev when he introduced himself 😅

[@zabugorsk]

The first rule of Fight Club is… there’s your answer, Eric. Always good to hear your take on things that actually matter.

[@m_r_menian]

The pashick gang needs to go. They have caused too much damage already. Clergy or nonclergy, does it matter. The homeland needed a leader. Thank you Archbishop Bagrat for taking on this difficult task. I hope this movement will be successful.

[@zabugorsk]

They shopped at The White Suff

[@gagiktovmassian3670]

Clerigy has an authority to speak on issues "don't kill", "dont steal". These people never said a word when they were stealing and killing. Why would any real christian take them seriously? Where is the priest who was trading bloody diamonds from Africa, is he on stage too?

[@m_r_menian]

We should not put all the clergy in one bag. There are good ones too. It is unfortunate there are those who are corrupt and do not act as real spiritual leaders. They have nothing to with Christianity.

[@ForcedMedication]

The player behind it is KGB (including behind the current church leadership, ARF, and the nakhkins).

[@bedroslee]

It's much more than 20 thousand people there, check the photos

[@TenTenJ]

It would be naive of us to think that Russia is taking troupes out of the area without secretly being replaced by Azeri forces. They are partners. Is he going to take the Russian base out of Gyumri too?

[@pasmal_lesbzez]

are you a russian bot? or are you doing their work for free

[@TenTenJ]

@@pasmal_lesbzez no, I am not. What about my comment indicates any fidelity to the present Russian dictatorship? If you want to move ahead with your eyes closed, go ahead.

[@pasmal_lesbzez]

@@TenTenJ do you want the Russians in Gyumri or not? Is the last sentence of your comment a call for fully going through with it or are you saying that a giant Russian military base in our second largest city is a good thing? I mean sorry if I misread your point or anything, but it looks like you’re saying “it’s either Russian troops in Armenia or Azeri troops in Armenia” which is exactly what the Russian propaganda wants us to believe

[@smikkelhenknl7639]

He is against them​@@pasmal_lesbzez

[@ednaantonian8369]

What a disappointing show! When the church has stayed silent, you have criticized them. Now that the church has shown that it can unite the nation through religion, church, Christianity, you are dismissing their efforts. Aliyev has created their nationalism through hatred of us and flags everywhere. Our church is the only way to unite our nation for the good of the nation, whether you are religious or not.

[@darbin437]

Не знаю каковы планы оппозиции, но, на мой взгляд, основная цель массовых выступлений в Армении , возглавляемых Србазаном Багратом, является не захват власти тем или иным путем, а консолидация армянского общества под лозунгом "хай, Хайастан, хайреник и Арцах". Не думаю, что Србазан в своих речах и действиях переступает красную черту отделяющую Церковь от государства, но верю, что свою задачу по объединению разрозненных общественно -политических групп армянского населения , он выполнит.

[@pierre8654]

Bever is very clear, they support the movement's original goal of stopping illegal demarcation efforts. They will never support the former regime coming to power. Armenia needs to free varuzhan Avetisyan and let him lead the country.

[@johnavedian2664]

I heard from sources in Yerevan they’re paying people 60,000AMD to stay in hraparak overnight.

[@stellastepanian3773]

Such humorous stupidity!!!

[@spamhoover9994]

I heard you are being paid 50 cents per commentary to spread those lies.

[@UserUnkown-do1ji]

he said since revolution, which revolution? nikol's revolution?