Iconic Photo from Electric Yerevan on Reuters’ 2015 Pictures of the Year

Photo by Vahram Baghdasaryan, Photolure.

The most iconic photo of the summer #ElectricYerevan protests has landed a spot in Reuters’ 2015 Pictures of the Year.

Captured by Vahram Baghdasaryan of PHOTOLURE News Agency, it embodies the spirit and strength of civil society in defiance of police brutality.

The protests began in response to a unanimous decision on June 17 by Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission to raise public electricity prices. After initial clashes with the police, the protests escalated, spreading around the nation and attracting tens of thousands in Yerevan. At the heart of the public’s frustration were wider issues of deep mistrust in the government, corruption, mismanagement, injustice and dependence on Russia.

In the early morning hours of June 23, riot police moved in to clear protesters from Baghramyan Avenue (when this photo was taken). Dozens were injured and over 230 people were arrested. Journalists were also targeted.

By the end of June, President Sargsyan announced that the government would subsidize the price hikes, but the protesters were unconvinced, maintaining that they would still indirectly carry the burden.

As Armenian civil society organized to form what has been one of the clearest demonstrations of unity of the local population for a single non-partisan cause, #ElectricYerevan attracted attention from media outlets around the world and consistently trended on social media.

Baghdasaryan’s photo has been featured in many international publications such as The Guardian, Business Insider, Hurriyet Daily News, The Moscow Times, AzVision, Georgia Today and Ukrainian Focus.

The powerful photo was also on display this past November at the #ElectricYerevan photo exhibition at the Journalists’ Union in Yerevan.

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