ProjectFearlessnessOtar 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
"Georgia is truly remarkable, as is its society!
It's evident in every way- no one is willing to accept a Russified Georgia, a Georgia deprived of its constitution, or a Georgia under an illegitimate government & parliament
That's why so many of you are out here today- I see you!"
Salome Zourabichvilli,
President,
Georgia.
/41
“The resistance movement has started, it was started by you, not at the behest of anyone, not at the request of anyone, spontaneously, a peaceful and constitutional resistance movement… I am completely with you and we are all together until Georgia achieves its goal of returning to its European path, achieving new elections and securing the protection of its future once and for all."
Salome Zourabichvilli,
President,
Georgia.
/42
The US Helsinki Commission calls the GD a de-facto, illegitimate government, and calls on the incoming Trump administration as well as Biden’s to stand with the Georgian people.
#StandWithGeorgia
#GeorgiaProtests
/43
"Rasa Juknevičienė MEP, wrote that she and other MEPs had initiated a letter to Kaja Kallas, the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, urging the EU to impose sanctions on Georgian officials responsible for election fraud, democratic backsliding and the repression of civil society. The letter calls for “immediate action to protect democracy in Georgia” and asks the High Representative to present a proposal for sanctions."
/44
Right now in Tbilisi, Georgia, the protests are descending into a running battle between police and protestors.
There are reports of multiple arrests, beatings and hospitalisations, including many journalists. Water cannons and tear gas have been used by the police while barricades and fires have been lit by protestors.
It's tense.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/45
Outside parliament on Rustavali Avenue, Tbilisi, Georgia, the confrontation between protestors and police cleared long enough for the photographer to take this shot of graffiti on the road.
"If they gouge out our eyes today, we will return tomorrow in droves."
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/46
Georgia.
Rati Tvalavadze, Ministry of Defense employee resigns; says all limits have been crossed, calls all civil servants to resign and join the street protests.
/47
“It is Europe and the European ideal that these Russian proxies are deliberately and savagely crushing on the Tbilisi streets. Wake up Europe!”
Salome Zourabichvilli,
President,
Georgia.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/48
Georgian President denounces violent crackdown on Tbilisi protests, appeals to Europe - Front News
President Salome Zourabichvili strongly condemned the violent suppression of peaceful protests in Tbilisi, describing the actions of authorities as an attack on European ideals. In a post on X on November 30, she stated: “It is Europe and the European ideal that these Russian proxies are deliberately and savagely crushing on the Tbilisi streets. Wake […]
This is a photo of Mariam Gaphrindashvili and Guram Rogava, journalists who were brutally attacked by police while covering the protests in Tbilisi, Georgia last night.
They were just two of dozens of journalists among hundreds of people injured last night.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
#JounalismIsNotACrime
/49
"The will and desire of the Georgian people was to follow the European path; this was our historical choice, the only right choice. Deviating from this path is unacceptable."
"This country belongs to its people, and no one stands above the people’s will."
Kvicha Kvaratskhelia,
Georgian national football team.
/50
Prominent Georgian footballer Kvaratskhelia: 'Deviating from European path is unacceptable' - Front News
Georgian national football team player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has expressed his stance on the ongoing developments in Georgia, emphasizing the importance of staying on the European path. In a statement shared on social media, Kvaratskhelia wrote: “I want to share my opinion and position as a citizen. The will and desire of the Georgian people was […]
This is Tbilisi, Georgia last night. It's a very short video so you might just see two women being harassed by riot police. If you watch it again you will see these two women have microphones and are actually journalists trying to interview the riot police, in the middle of a riot.
That's fearless journalism.
#StandWithGeorgia
#JournalismIsNotACrime
/52
"Today, two protests are set to take place in Tbilisi, Georgia, reflecting growing public dissatisfaction with the recent decisions of the government.
The first demonstration is scheduled for 5:00 PM in front of the Georgian Public Broadcaster building, under the slogan “This is the People’s Television.” Later, at 7:00 PM, protesters will gather outside the Government Administration building with the slogan “That’s My Child, Let Go.”
/53
https://frontnews.ge/en/two-protests-planned-in-tbilisi-today/
Two protests planned in Tbilisi today - Front News
Today, two protests are set to take place in Tbilisi, reflecting growing public dissatisfaction with the recent decisions of the government. The first demonstration is scheduled for 5:00 PM in front of the Georgian Public Broadcaster building, under the slogan “This is the People’s Television.” Later, at 7:00 PM, protesters will gather outside the Government […]
"The police might kill somebody like this."
"Physical violence is an understatement, people tell how the special forces beat them mercilessly.
They were subjected to such violence, such physical violence, that I saw a person whose entire face was practically covered in blood-filled bruises.
This is some kind of savagery, there is no justification for treating people in this way."
Levan Ioseliani,
Georgia Public Defender,
(Georgian Dream party approved candidate.)
54/
OSCE human rights office condemns use of excessive force by police during protests in Georgia.
/55
OSCE human rights office condemns use of excessive force by police during protests in Georgia
WARSAW, 30 November 2024 – The action of law enforcement officials while policing peaceful protests in Georgia is of deep concern and a serious breach of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today after police used water cannons, pepper spray, and batons to disperse pro
David Solomonia, Georgian ambassador to the Netherlands, has resigned in protest of the Georgian Dream government's decision to stop the E.U. membership application and the violent suppression of peaceful protests.
/56
Tbilisi, Georgia.
"People are gathering in front of Public TV, demanding that it broadcast all the violence that occurred over the past two nights, as it is funded by the very same people who were beaten."
Anna Gvarishvili,
Georgian journalist.
/57
In Tbilisi, Georgia, people have stormed the building of Public TV, the public broadcaster, and are demanding to be put live on air so they can speak the truth of what is happening instead of the government propaganda the channel is now churning out.
/58
In Tbilisi, Georgia, public broadcaster, Public TV, has unexpectedly allowed the protestors who stormed the building to go live on air at 8.00 p.m. Georgia time.
That's just over an hour from now. Whether this will happen or whether the broadcaster is just playing for time is not yet clear.
/59
It's a very fluid situation in Tbilisi, Georgia right now, but as I understand it-
The protestors who just stormed the public broadcaster building are actually journalists demanding to be put on air.
The public broadcaster is allowing them air time in about an hour.
The whole confrontation is being broadcast by the public broadcaster.
Simultaneously, the public broadcaster has issued a statement denouncing the violent disorder of the last 2 nights.
/60
Events in Georgia seem to be accelerating today. It's hard to keep across all the news, but this message from journalists and the people of Georgia is coming loud and clear.
Keep watching and amplifying their voices.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/61
Gurre Vildskägg@ProjectFearlessness
Thank you for covering the events. Very small notices in "old" media here in Sweden. Less than the also-too-small articles on Syria today.
Thank you for covering the events. Very small notices in "old" media here in Sweden. Less than the also-too-small articles on Syria today.
@Gurre
It's the same in the U.K. It's like it has no significance.
It's the same in the U.K. It's like it has no significance.
@ProjectFearlessness
It's frustrating.
There's clearly a connection to Russia's wide front power plays in so many countries. If Georgia moves out of the Russian "side" that's a real blow. Will be good for the people of Georgia, but also to reduce smuggling into Russia somewhat (over time).
Same with Syria. Making the corridor from Russia & Iran to Hizballah narrower/riskier can mean a great deal strategically.
I actually expect Swedish TVs news show for kids "Lilla Aktuellt" to do decent
1/2
@ProjectFearlessness
... and pretty balanced coverage on Monday. They are really good, and usually center what is happening to children living there, and experience of kids here with relatives there. They've done that for Ukraine, Gaza, and Lebanon. Powerful stuff to watch as a parent.
2/2
... and pretty balanced coverage on Monday. They are really good, and usually center what is happening to children living there, and experience of kids here with relatives there. They've done that for Ukraine, Gaza, and Lebanon. Powerful stuff to watch as a parent.
2/2
@Gurre
That's disturbing that you have to rely on kids TV news to get the story, but also really sweet. At least the kids are up to date.
That's disturbing that you have to rely on kids TV news to get the story, but also really sweet. At least the kids are up to date.