Serj Tankian: This movement is authentic and completely yours (video)

US-Armenian rock singer Serj Tankian has voiced his support to the ongoing civil disobedience campaign in Armenia, encouraging its organizers to carry through the struggle 'while staying clear of colored resolution scenarios’.

In a recently published video address, the System of a Down lead vocalist also extends the Diaspora’s solidary with the Armenian activists.

“I wanna congratulate you for so far holding one of the most successful civil disobedience campaigns in all of Armenian history. This movement is authentic and completely yours and should remain so untainted by politics or any other concerns. You should know that everyone in the Diaspora is behind you, even those in organizations that oppose your efforts. We are taken aback by your eloquence, peacefulness and inclusiveness,” he says.

Meantime the singer warns against excessive use of the ‘colored revolution’ terminology.

“[It] is associated with the East-West struggles. Our struggle is not for or with East or West but for justice and progressive change. We don’t to be any empire’s client state and need good relations with all.”

“Make your demands concrete,” the singer goes on saying. “My suggestion would be to insist on Serzh Sargsyan leaving not only the office of prime minister, but also resigning as the leader of his party. I would then insist on a package of reforms to handle all the injustices we have observed from corruption to environmental degradation, and everything in between with a timeline on the new government to enact and execute them.

“If the demands are not met, I would set a date for another strike – this time for the resignation of all of parliament, and new parliamentary elections.”

Encouraging the protesters to continue the resistance campaign, Tankian further asks them to avoid “falling into traps of provocateurs”.

“They will get their justice when their bosses are fired one day and they have to come to you to ask for a job.  Continue to be flexible, just, forthright and loving. Continue to treat the police as your brothers and sisters – because they are. They are one of you.”

At the end, the musician plays part of a song he wrote during the Electric Yerevan protests in 2015.