Schlagwort: Tbilisi

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A Call to Action

„Within the next few days, until 29 December, European governments will need to take a position in one of the most dramatic confrontations of 2024, in a months-long bitter struggle to preserve a European democracy: Who is the president of Georgia?“ The European Stability Initiative (ESI) is a group of Europeans working towards a Europe „capable of defending its democratic institutions and its human rights standards against illiberal forces, in particular to South-East Europe“.

They have published an analysis of the situation in Georgia, just days before the anticipated showdown over the presidency. The analysis condemns the silence of democratic European governments regarding the stolen elections and the unconstitutional process for selecting a new president.

They also call on these governments to finally step up and confront the Georgian Dream party. Failing to do so, they argue, would mean abandoning Georgian democrats and conceding a significant victory to Russia and Putin.

Meanwhile, yesterday, among several demonstrations, a women’s march took place in Tbilisi to protest against the self-proclaimed government, demanding new and fair elections.

Europe, are you listening?

A moment during the protest against the „Russian Law“ on May 26, 2024, the Georgian Independence Day, on Chavchavadze Avenue in Tbilisi.

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„Reclaiming Who We Are“

Walking towards a brighter future, May 2024, Tbilisi, Georgia.

„What’s happening in Georgia goes beyond politics or any single issue. It’s the feeling of a nation waking up, of people standing together, not just against something, but for something.“ Nodar Rukhadze is a Human Rights activist, journalist and one of the founders of the Shame Movement in Georgia, a group „united by the goal of achieving Euro-Atlantic integration and systemic democratic reforms through non-violent activism“.

In a social media post, Rukhadze provides insight into the deeper meaning of the events unfolding in Georgia: „This isn’t just about elections or an illegitimate government. It’s about reclaiming who we are, both as a country and as individuals who refuse to be silenced.” Read his full statement here.

Meanwhile, over the weekend, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators once again gathered in Tbilisi, uniting in song, dance, and protest to stand up for the future of their country.

Look at these people. Look at this country.

Young protesters in Tbilisi during a rally against the so called „Russian Law“ on the day the parliament overruled President Zourabishvili’s veto against the legislation, May 28, 2024.
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Clashing On Rustaveli

Night six of the standoff between the government and the people of Georgia unfolded much like the previous nights. Thousands once again flooded Tbilisi’s main avenue, voicing their discontent over the results of the rigged election and the anti-European stance of the self-proclaimed government. As usual, their calls were met with disproportionate police violence, transforming Rustaveli Avenue into a battleground where firecrackers clashed with water cannons and police squads.

For more on what’s happening, follow photographers like Tako Robakidze, Dina Oganova, Guram Muradov, and others for their powerful coverage.

Already in May of this year, during the demonstrations against the so-called „Russian Law,“ protesters were prepared to confront police intimidation tactics.