"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
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
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/
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
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
Irakli Vekua, the Acting Ambassador of Georgia to Italy, is stepping down from his position in protest at recent events in Georgia.
That's the third Georgian ambassador to resign.
/62
4 popular restaurants in Tbilisi, Georgia have closed until further notice, with this message.
/63
Huge crowds of protestors have turned up outside parliament in Tbilisi, Georgia for the third night running.
Every night they do this, the crowd get a little stronger, and the government look a little weaker.
Keep pushing.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandByGeorgia
/64
Caspar Veldkamp, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, has expressed shock over the violent crackdown on demonstrators and journalists in Georgia.
“I am shocked by the violent repression of demonstrators and journalists in Georgia, where many citizens have raised their voices for their European future."
/65
Caspar Veldkamp, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, has expressed shock over the violent crackdown on demonstrators and journalists in Georgia. In a statement posted on social media, Veldkamp condemned the use of force against citizens who took to the streets to voice their support for the country’s European future. “I am shocked […]
The Georgian public broadcaster is now live on air, interviewing the journalists who stormed the building earlier in protest of the pro government propaganda that the channel usually broadcasts.
/66
"Georgia, I am so proud of you!
A national accord has been reached on the most critical matter: no one can take away Georgia’s independence, no one can return Georgia to Russia,and no one can deprive Georgia of its will and its European future.
I remain your President - there is no legitimate parliament & thus no legitimate election or inauguration. My mandate continues.
I stand with you & will remain with you!"
Salome Zurabishvili,
President,
Georgia.
/67
This is the Georgian T.V. public broadcaster right now. Independent journalists stormed the building and persuaded the management to give them air time.
They are showing videos of the police brutality at last night's protests and calling for civil disobedience.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/68
"Credible sources confirm that the Georgian Ambassador to the US and former Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has stepped down."
Marika Mikiashvili,
Georgian journalist.
/69
Formula News Georgia reports that Georgia's deputy foreign minister Taimaruz Janjalia has resigned in protest at the government's anti EU direction.
This would be the first government resignation so far.
/70
It's hard to get across the size of the protests in Georgia right now. They are spreading to many other towns and cities as well as the capital Tbilisi.
As for Tbilisi, just look at this.👇
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/71
And the Georgian Ambassador to Lithuania has just resigned. That's the fifth ambassador, I think. I'm losing count.
72
"The US has suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia. This is a national disaster. The Georgian Dream illegitimate and unconstitutional regime must be finished. Now.
It would be very significant for the people of Georgia if targeted sanctions followed since both the outgoing and incoming US administrations remain committed to the people of Georgia!"
Marika Mikiashvili,
Georgian journalist.
/73
Tbilisi, Georgia.
Protestors brought an effigy of Georgian Dream chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili in front of parliament and burnt him.
If you're paranoid about evil curses and black magic, look away now. Bidzina Ivanishvili is paranoid about evil curses and black magic btw.
/74
"Today the massive protests have turned in a massive civil disobedience movement: public service, central bank, ministries, diplomatic corps, major banks, big corporations, cultural institutions, universities, public television."
Salome Zurabishvili,
President,
Georgia.
/75
Students of Kutaisi International University, founded by Bidzina Ivanishvili, protested against the 'stolen European future'.
Via Publika Georgia.
"The desire for EU membership among Georgians is so overwhelming that we haven't bothered to ask the question in a while. In our September 2023 poll support was at 90%."
Rob Farbman,
Edison Research.
/78
Barricades made by protestors in Tbilisi, Georgia.
It's the smiley that makes it.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/79
In Tbilisi, Georgia, firefighters are deliberately and demonstratively emptying the water from their trucks so the riot police can't use them for their water cannons.
There's a moment in the video where a firefighter drinks the water to prove that it's the riot police and not them who are mixing pepper spray into it.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/80
In Tbilisi, Georgia, despite several attempts by the riot police to disperse them, the overnight protests have continued right through into the morning.
It's now 12.30 and the protests have moved on to the University grounds.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/81
"We stand with the Georgian people and their choice for a European future.
We condemn the violence against protesters & regret signals from ruling party not to pursue Georgia's path to EU and democratic backsliding of the county.
This will have direct consequences from EU side."
Kaja Kallas,
E.U. Foreign Affairs.
/82
In Georgia, the massive protests are making all the headlines.
What's less noticeable but equally important is how much support the protests have in the wider society of Georgia. Public services, ministries, diplomatic corps, major banks, big corporations, cultural institutions, universities, media, as well as individual celebrities from sports and the arts. They are all on the side of the protestors.
The clock is ticking on the ruling Georgian Dream party.
/83
The disinformation campaign against the pro E.U. protestors in Georgia is heating up. So, first, the facts.
Georgia is pro Europe.
Pursuing E.U. membership has long been enshrined in the constitution.
Polling has showed the Georgian people massively in favour at 80/90%.
Every political party campaigns on the manifesto promise of joining the E.U.
The ruling Georgian Dream party's election campaign was "Towards Europe With Dignity".
#GeorgiaProtests
#GeorgiaIsEurope
/84
The latest statements from Georgian PM Khobakidzle can be found in the article below.
Tldr: Crisis? What crisis? Everything's just fine in Georgia. Nothing to see here...
/85
https://www.rferl.org/a/georgia-tbilisi-protests-government-eu/33222445.html
Georgia's prime minister has said the president must leave office at the end of her term later this month, despite her pledge not to, while anti-government protesters -- who she supports -- took to the streets again, scuffling with security forces at key sites in the capital.
In Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili is the shadowy billionaire oligarch who is chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
He made all his money in Russia in the 90's and now he lives in his 'Glassle', a space age mansion perched high above Tbilisi, like some kind of Bond villain.
Anyway, the protestors are heading up there this evening. Expect fireworks, at least.
/86
"The chair of Georgia’s illegitimate Parliament states that, as a result of yesterday’s riot, the Parliament’s cafeteria is completely ruined.
I mean, the cafeteria and Georgia’s European future but yeah, everyone has their own priorities."
Anna Gvarishvili,
Georgian journalist.
/87
In Tbilisi, Georgia, last night's protests never really stopped. They just moved to the University for the day.
Now it's moving back to the public broadcaster, the parliament, and the GD party chairman Ivanishvili's house.
It feels more and more like it's the end game for the Georgian Dream party, and at this point I don't fancy their chances.
#GeorgiaProtests
#GeorgiaIsEurope
/88
"Dear international community,
Georgia doesn’t have leadership or legitimate authority. We have an illegitimate, self-proclaimed Parliament that convened unconstitutionally and approved a government, which is therefore also illegitimate.
The illegitimate regime has violated 3 articles of the Constitution, including Article 78, which mandates all state institutions to do everything within their power to ensure the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration."
Anna Gvarishvili,
Georgian journalist
/89
"Georgian civil servants have made a statement on December 1, “unequivocally denouncing” Irakali Kobakhidze’s announcement about the withdrawal from the EU accession negotiations process and condemning the disproportionate use of force against the peaceful protesters."
/90
In Georgia it seems like tonight's protests are even bigger than last night's protests. Huge crowds in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Rustavi, Dmanisi, Lanchkhuti, Kvareli and more.
#GeorgiaProtests
#StandWithGeorgia
/90
In Tbilisi, Georgia, riot police are once again using water cannons against protestors.
This time the riot police are inside parliament, firing on the protestors outside parliament.
I'm not sure this is how a healthy democracy is supposed to function.
/91
ProjectFearlessness
