page_title: Electric Yerevan
section_title: Protests
hierarchical_section_title: Electric Yerevan / Protests
caption_attribution_description: Հայերեն: Բաղրամյան պողոտան՝ ընդդեմ հոսանքի թանկացման ցույցի մասնակիցների հանդեպ զանգվածային բռնություններից ժամեր առաջ, հունիսի 22
context_page_description: Electric Yerevan, also known within Armenia as No Robbery protests, were mass protests which occurred in the summer of 2015 against a 17% hike in electricity rates within Armenia. The protests were successful in reversing the price hike and causing the sale of Electric Networks of Armenia from Inter RAO to the Tashir Group.
context_section_description: Protests began on June 19, 2015 and locally referred to as #ElectricYerevan, Revolution of socket, ElectroMaidan, EnergoMaidan. The latter two are a pun on Ukraine's Euromaidan in late 2013/early 2014. Protesters have stated that they do not wish to replicate Euromaidan and that they were angered by the suggestion in the Russian media that their protests are "a new Maidan". Lead figure Vaghinak Shushanyan credited the organization’s widespread support due to its specific demands — increased oversight of ENA, a reversal of the price hike and refusal to engage in political horse trading.
  The apolitical nature of the protests allowed maximum engagement from ordinary citizens. Political party members participated as well, however without any organisational involvement from their respective parties.
  The protestors age ranged from 17 to 35 and majority were part of Armenia's emerging middle class. Majority of protestors could afford the price hikes, however their actions were geared towards how the country is currently run.
  On 20–21 June 2015, in the "high-voltage rally", activists went on a sit-in strike protesting against the price increase. At the end of the rally, a group of civil activists announced another sit-in in a central Yerevan square, which was attended by thousands of people.
  On 22 June, the activists of the "high-voltage rally" marched to Baghramyan Avenue, towards the Presidential Palace and began a sit-in protest.
  On 23 June, early in the morning 200 peaceful protesters were detained from the center of Baghramyan Avenue, many of whom were journalists. Police used water cannons on protesters which send 25 people to the hospital and triggered a larger wave of protests to follow.  Protests spread to other Armenian cities like Gyumri, Vanadzor, Martuni, Spitak, and Ashtarak. Police brutality led to protestors blocking central Bagramyan Avenue and barricading themselves with dumpsters.
  On 27 June, protesters closed the Mashtots Avenue and Sayat-Nova Avenue intersection and the Place de France.
  On 6 July, police disperses the sit-in which had returned to Freedom Square.
  On 16 July, Andreas Ghukasyan and others created the "Rise up, Armenia" movement.
  On 21 August, Rise up, Armenia members was apprehended during rally on Republic Square, but several hours after Rise up, Armenia all apprehended members freed.
  On 1 September, "No to robbery" launches a rally in Lovers' Park. During the rally; protesters came down to Republic Square, where Rise up, Armenia's' organized sit-in participants, were.
  On 4 September, Rise up, Armenia organized protest in Republic Square, with 40-day sit-in occasion. In protest also participanted Pre-Parliament members.
caption: Sit-in in Baghramyan Avenue.
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