June 20 demonstrators ‘unleash war’ against Georgian Dream ruling party founder Ivanishvili

The movement Shame, which was created after the June 20 rally dispersal in central Tbilisi, has presented its action plan in a rally on Rustaveli Avenue later today, promising ‘to defeat the authoritarian leadership’ of the founder of the Georgian Dream ruling party Bidzina Ivanishvili. 

• 3 months after June 20 rally dispersal: protestors announce demonstration

One of the organisers of the rally Shota Digmelashvili accused Ivanishvili of ‘collaborationism with Russia,’ and stated that the current Georgian Dream leadership will be ‘replaced peacefully’ via the 2020 parliamentary elections. 

Demonstrators vowed the current government to be changed peacefully.Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

 The movement said that for the ‘final victory’: 

•  We will create and strengthen groups of our activists for them to constantly monitor the servants of Ivanishvili.
• We will ensure a legal service for the people who suffered damages during the rally dispersal.
• We will create a group of consultants to provide support for all those suppressed by the government.
• We will create new media platforms to oppose Ivanishvili’s propagandist media.
• We will start a large-scale campaign to help people make an informed decision on election day. 

 Ivanishvili had a chance to listen to people, but instead he opposed us and appointed Giorgi Gakharia as the country’s new PM. We remember everything and we do not forgive,” Digmelashvili said. 

Georgia's one of top bankers Mamuka Khazaradze, who has just created a civic movement, was present at the rally. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge. 

One of three top demands of the demonstrators was the resignation of former Interior Minister Gakharia whom they accuse of the “brutal dispersal” of the rally which was sparked by the address of the Russian MP Sergey Gavrilov from the seat of the Georgian parliament speaker on June 20, during an international forum.

 Gakharia says that the rally became violent due to “irresponsible opposition leaders,” who had plans to storm the parliament building and place the state security at risk.