UPDATED: Protesters march to gov't administration, pause protest for now
June 23 rallies feature hardly any participation of political leaders of the opposition, and much more emphasis from common citizens and youth. Photo: Nino Alaidze/Agenda.ge
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Updated: 00:41, June 24
The peaceful demonstration in front of the parliament of Georgia that followed a Russian State Duma MP speaking from the Georgian parliament speaker's chair on June 20, has ended for today.
Composed again largely of young demonstrators, the crowds marched on Rustaveli Avenue to the administrative building of the Government of Georgia in a sign of peaceful protest.
Earlier: 21:23, June 23
A peaceful demonstration in front of the parliament of Georgia is underway on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi for the fourth consecutive day.
People have gathered again demanding the resignation of Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia, the release of people detained on June 20, the punishment of police officers who used excessive force during the clash with protesters and the holding of snap parliamentary elections with proportional electoral system.
Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The four days of rallies followed initial smaller-sized protests in the noon on Thursday, when political opposition and citizens demanded repercussions for the government for letting a Russian delegation to Tbilisi for an international event hosted by Georgia.
Protesters expressed their anger at seeing a Russian State Duma MP speak from the Georgian parliament speaker's chair as Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), two Georgian regions, are occupied by the Russian military.
Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Misha Mshvildadze, one of the moderators of the rally, thanked everyone for their solidarity amid Russia’s ban on flights with Georgia.
Mshvildadze said it is President Vladimir Putin, who is the only “enemy of Georgia”, not Russian people. He also urged everyonenot to interfere with the work of journalists, including the Russian crews.
Mshvildadze also thanked the lawyers who are protecting the rights of those detained on June 20, as well as the police officers, who “are protecting us.”
As of now, June 23 rallies feature hardly any participation of political leaders of the opposition, and much more emphasis from common citizens and youth.