Protesters Again Demonstrate at Red Army Show
Armenian demonstrators marched outside the Shrine Auditorium again on Saturday, the third straight day of protest at a four-day engagement of the Soviet Red Army Chorus and dance ensemble.
About 80 demonstrators chanted and carried signs protesting the killing of Armenians by soldiers in the Soviet Union. But police kept protesters at bay, limiting their marching to the south side of the auditorium, along Jefferson Boulevard.
The number of protesters has dwindled since Thursday, when about 1,000 demonstrated, some chaining themselves to the auditorium’s front doors, delaying the opening performance by more than two hours.
Attendance has steadily increased since the first night when only about 800 waited for police to clear the entrance to the auditorium. About 2,400 attended the third performance on Saturday. Auditorium manager Brian Fenske said it did not appear that the demonstration had affected attendance.
Protesters carried posters decrying the “Soviet dictatorship” and chanted “Red Army go home.”
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