Marchers took to the streets of Yerevan early today opposing any pending legislation that would allow for the opening of foreign language schools in Armenia. The protestors gathered in front of the Armenian Government building and held aloft signs reading, "No to Colonialism", Quality Education to All", "The Republican Party is the Enemy of the Armenian Language" and others with a similar message.

On the schedule of the Armenian parliament’s special session that got underway yesterday is a package of modifications to the "Language Law" and the "Law on Public Education". If the legislation is passed, it would allow for the opening of such schools in Armenia. Aram Apatyan, a member of the civic group opposed to foreign language schools, noted the example of Lebanon, where students attend foreign language schools and Arabic is taught as a second language. He expressed fears that if the same situation was allowed in Armenia, the native language would be pushed aside and merely spoken for rudimentary communication. The marchers made their way up Northern Avenue to Freedom Square in the shadow of the Opera House. Armen Hovhannisyan, another protestor, said that the Education Ministry was trying to push through the bill right before the holidays when people have other things on their mind. "This is Armenia; not Russia or the United States. We are citizens of this country and want to be educated in the mother tongue," he said, holding a sign reading – Those who compromise on the mother tongue, make compromises on the motherland. Levon Ananyan, President of Armenia’s Writers Union, was coming out from the Union's building when the marchers wound their way past his offices on Baghramyan Avenue. When the marchers offered Levon Ananyan to participate in the march, he refused saying: "I am with you. I have stated as much on TV and I am happy to say that the Artsakh Writers Union has also voiced its support." The march then made its way to the Presidential Palace and the National Assembly. Outside the parliament, the protestors began to whistle and shout at the arriving MP’s to take heed. With the exception of MP’s from the Heritage Party, most did not. Heritage Party MP Raffi Hovhannisyan approached the crowd and said he stood in solidarity with them. "Armenian must be the official language of this country. Armenia’s future strength in the field of international relations must be Armeno-centric, based on the indigenous culture, language and civilization," Hovhannisyan said.