YEREVAN, DECEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. "Free People of Yerevan are with You" - this and other placards were carried by participants of the December 19 rally in Gyumri: students from Yerevan, numerous residents of Gyumri and those from about 30 settlements of Shirak marz who came to express their support for "Gala" TV company. Speeches were made in particular by the chairman of the "Asparez" club Levon Barseghian, the leader of "Aylntrank" inititaive Nikol Pashinian, member of the "Orinats Yerkir" party, NA deputy Hovhannes Margarian and the chairman of the "Democratic Homeland" party Petros Makeyan. "Those who infringe on our rights will be punished under the law. They will be punished by God and by the public's comtemp. This day will come," Levon Barseghian stated. H. Margarian said that residents of Gyumri are ready to take any step in order to protect their dignity. In his words, "Gala" is an island in Gyumri, and everybody capable of expressing his free will in broadcasts of "Gala" needs it as much as air and water. Stating once again that "Gala" TV company is being subjected to pressure after it broadcast the September 21 speech of the first Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosian, the rally participants adopted an application, in which they demand that the respective bodies stop persecuations of "Gala".

---