ProjectFearlessnessIn Tbilisi, Georgia spontaneous protests are breaking out at the ruling Georgian Dream party's unilateral decision to withdraw from the E.U. membership process today.
This is the scene outside parliament in Tbilisi, Georgia right now, with several separate protests now converging in the one place. Other demonstrations are now appearing across Georgia.
The ruling party had been keeping a lid on the unrest following the rigged elections, but today's decision to withdraw from the E.U. membership process seems to be the final straw.
Georgians may now feel they have nothing left to lose.
/4
"Today marks the end of the constitutional coup unfolding for weeks. The course set months ago, taking us from Europe toward Russia, has now concluded.
Today, this illegitimate government declared not peace, but war—on its own people, past, and future."
Salome Zurabishvili,
President,
Georgia.
/5
"To everyone at home or who has joined the protests: Do not lose hope!
How events unfold in the coming days will be decided by society-all of us united
No compromise,no surrender-resistance. I will remain loyal to this until the end, just as you will remain loyal until the end."
Salome Zurabishvili,
President,
Georgia.
/6
In Georgia, the cities of Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Gori, and Telavi are all protesting tonight against the ruling party's decision to withdraw from the E.U. membership process.
While protest in Tbilisi are common, it's very rare to see protests in so many other cities, with all of them happening spontaneously. The E.U. membership decision seems to have really hit a nerve in Georgia.
/7
Full report on statement made by Salome Zurabishvili, outgoing President of Georgia.
https://civil.ge/archives/638925
/8
Tbilisi, Georgia.
Having exhausted all political and constitutional means of stopping what she terms an illegitimate parliament, President Salome Zurabishvili has just joined the protestors outside parliament.
/9
There's still a tense stand off in Tbilisi, Georgia between protestors and riot police. There have been a few scuffles and some arrests, but the police seem unprepared to deal with the large crowd outside parliament due to its sheer size.
/14
"Georgia protests. Its time for our EU partners to speak out ! Do not let Russia have a free ride! Georgian people are defending European future and will do so until replay of the elections in a free and fair environment!"
Salome Zurabishvili,
President,
Georgia.
/15
Water canons are being used on protestors in Tbilisi, Georgia, right now, outside parliament.
/16
"Georgia has begun efforts to disperse protesters near the Parliament building, with water cannons deployed in an attempt to break up the crowd on Chichinadze Street.
Despite the government’s efforts to disperse the protesters, the crowd on Chichinadze Street only grew larger. As water cannons were deployed, protesters responded by singing the Georgian national anthem, demonstrating their defiance against the law enforcement measures."
/17
https://frontnews.ge/en/police-use-water-cannons-to-disperse-protesters-near-georgian-parliament/
Police use water cannons to disperse protesters near Georgian Parliament - Front News
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has begun efforts to disperse protesters near the Parliament building, with water cannons deployed in an attempt to break up the crowd on Chichinadze Street. The police operation also involved the use of pepper spray, making it difficult for demonstrators to breathe and intensifying the confrontations. Despite the […]
Police in Tbilisi, Georgia have cleared the area in front of parliament of protestors using water cannons. The water was mixed with pepper spray.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/18
Tbilisi, Georgia
"Media reports indicate that members of the Coalition for Change opposition party have been injured – one of its leaders, Elene Khoshtaria, became ill after inhaling tear gas and standing under the water cannon (which reportedly has some gas mixed in), while Boris Chele Kurua suffered a head injury from a rubber bullet."
Via Civil Georgia.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/19
In Tbilisi, Georgia, anti government protests continued overnight. Police used excessive and unlawful force, deliberately targeting journalists and opposition politicians.
The mask has slipped on the ruling party. They are looking more Russian by the minute.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/20
"Don't bury us so soon, Georgia has been fighting for its European future for decades, even centuries, and has no intention of giving up. Don't give up on us and replace your compassion with solidarity!"
Salome Zourabichvilli,
President,
Georgia.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/21
Meanwhile, at a school in Tbilisi, Georgia, students were greeted this morning with this message on the blackboard.
"There is no class today.
The teacher went on strike.
Georgia will never be Russia!"
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/22
“I think that all of us have woken up in a completely new reality.”
Pawel Hercynski,
EU Ambassador to Georgia.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/23
"Unfortunately, what we are seeing in Georgia today is exactly the Ukrainian scenario, but of a different kind. Georgia in November 2024 is a mirror of Ukraine in November 2013.
To those in the streets of Tbilisi: your fight today is about more than being pro-European or pro-Russian; it’s about the fundamental right to live freely. You are a proud nation. Fight and prevail - don’t let them steal your future."
Dmytro Kuleba,
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Ukraine.
/24
More reports are coming in from Georgia that schools and universities are on strike today. This is Public School No. 186 in Tbilisi.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/25
Otar Berdzanishvili, The Georgian Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria has just resigned in protest against the country’s changing foreign policy to the E.U. and the violence towards peaceful protestors by the state in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Hill Sopra Ski Resort Hotel in Bakuriani, Georgia declares the Suspension of Tax Payments.
"If the Georgian government continues to violate the principles of the country's constitution and its democratic development, our hotel will temporarily suspend all tax payments to the state. This decision aims to prevent our resources from being used by a government that disregards the country's constitution."
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/28
"We, as a business association, are fully aware of the economic impact this change might have. In the short term, this policy will have significant negative economic effects and could potentially result in the suspension of Georgia's visa-free travel with the European Union, which would adversely affect a vast number of families."
Joint statement signed by the 13 Georgian business associations below.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/29
"Georgians are Europeans!
Georgia’s future is in Europe, and nobody can take that away from them.
Moldova condemns the violence against peaceful demonstrators and expresses solidarity with President Salome Zourabichvili and the Georgian people in their fight for freedom,”
Maia Sandu,
President,
Moldova.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/30
https://frontnews.ge/en/moldovan-president-georgia-s-future-is-in-europe-no-one-can-take-that-away/
Moldovan President: Georgia’s future Is in Europe, no one can take that away - Front News
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has voiced strong support for Georgia’s European aspirations, stating that Georgians are Europeans and “Georgia’s future is in Europe.” Writing on the social platform X, Sandu expressed solidarity with the Georgian people and President Salome Zourabichvili amid their “fight for freedom.” “Moldova condemns the violence against peaceful demonstrators and expresses solidarity […]
Some fifty Ministry of Defense staff signed a joint statement emphasizing that Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic path “has no alternative” and pledging loyalty to Article 78 of the Georgian Constitution, which enshrines this provision. This is a public snub to the Georgian Dream’s decision to halt EU accession.
Separately, 134 Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff have signed a similar statement.
/31
"We are deeply concerned about the rights of pro-European Georgians who took to the streets to protest against the government's plan to stop the EU integration process. We condemn the use of violence against them and call on the relevant authorities to stop using force against peaceful protesters. We reiterate that the right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental right, which needs to be rigorously respected."
David McAlister,
E.U. Foreign Affairs Committee.
/32
"Within the framework of professional ethics, we uphold political neutrality regarding the political processes unfolding in the country. At the same time, we condemn violence and dissociate ourselves from any decisions or actions that contradict the requirements of Article 78 of the Georgian Constitution.
Georgia belongs where human dignity, freedom, and peace are the highest values. Therefore, Georgia’s place is in Europe!"
Statement signed by 20 Georgian judges.
/33
After last night's protests in Georgia, another night of protests is getting under way.
The centre of the protests will be outside parliament in the capital Tbilisi, but other towns and cities are also protesting. This is Batumi, now.
/34
In Tbilisi, Georgia, tonight's anti government protest begins with journalists marching to parliament.
They are holding photographs of the injuries some of their colleagues received from the police while reporting on last night's protests.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/35
"Ukraine is disappointed with the decision of the Georgian government to suspend negotiations on accession to the EU until 2028. This decision, as well as the use of force against a peaceful protest, is evidence of the curtailment of democratic processes in the country in favor of Moscow."
Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement on Georgia.
/36
This is Rustavali Avenue, Tbilisi, Georgia, Now.
If it looks the same as last night's protests, that's because it is the same as last night's protests.
It's a stand off between the people and the government. Nobody's backing down.
/37
"Deeply concerned by reports of excessive use of force by Georgian police against peaceful protesters exercising legitimate democratic rights.
Georgian authorities must take immediate steps to de-escalate situation & fully respect rights of peaceful protestors."
Stephen Doughty,
Minister of State for Europe,
U.K.
/38
Protests in Georgia are even bigger than last night, with protests in at least 8 towns and cities.
In both Batumi and Kutaisi protesters also entered city hall to wave E.U. flags.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/39
Riot police in Georgia's capital Tbilisi have started breaking up the protests with water cannons. Just like last night.
Unlike last night there are twice as many protestors, with some estimates at 200,00. This time they came more prepared.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/40
Gurre Vildskägg@ProjectFearlessness
The Ukrainian flag waves proudly. Standing up to their Muscovite oppressors together.
The Ukrainian flag waves proudly. Standing up to their Muscovite oppressors together.