Tensions boiled over during a mass protest in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, where thousands of demonstrators faced off with police in front of the presidential palace over the weekend. The demonstrators joyously waved Georgian flags and carried signs demanding their country join the European Union. They demanded stronger accountability of any new government after the ruling party Georgian Dream halted EU accession negotiations last year. In response to this decision, protests have erupted in every major city across the country. People continue to unite, fearing a reversion to the Soviet period.
Protect public interest and uphold our democracy Join these Georgians to stand up for public interest. Many voiced concerns about the nation’s democratic trajectory, arguing that Georgian Dream is steering the country closer to Russia’s influence. These rallying cries resonated across the city as activists, young and old, made clear their commitment to a future rooted in the values of Europe.
Others explained that their outrage stemmed from the fear of once again being forced to live in a country controlled by Moscow. “We fight for our rights, for independence,” stated Sophio Asatiani, highlighting the deep-rooted fears shared by many in the crowd. The demonstrations have intensified since Georgian Dream’s decision to suspend EU talks, which critics believe reflects a broader trend of adopting legislation reminiscent of Russian policies, where dissent is often harshly suppressed.
Georgian police responded to the growing demonstrations against the law by deploying water cannons and pepper spray. They targeted these measures against demonstrators seeking to storm the gates of the presidential palace. Riot police intervened violently, pushing back those who had broken through police barricades to try and get in. The authorities defended their actions under the pretext that they were enforcing laws that govern public assemblies and protests.
This unrest has been characterized by mass arrests and accusations of police violence towards demonstrators. The rally organizers had promised a “blue wave” ahead of municipal elections taking place this past weekend. Yet all of the critical opposition parties on an international stage decided to boycott the elections. They were convinced they wouldn’t produce any real change.
Paata Burchuladze, one of the rally’s organizers, commented on the need to restore power to the citizens. “We must take power back into the hands of the people,” he declared. This feeling struck a chord with almost everyone in the crowd who is worried that their nation’s hopes for democracy are being eroded.
Giorgi Rukhadze, one of the leading bodies in the protests, emphasized the necessity for peaceful protest. “The only way to put Georgian Dream out of power peacefully is non-obedience, noncompliance,” he asserted.
