In a powerful display of dissent, thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets of Tbilisi to protest a controversial “foreign agents” bill. The legislation, reminiscent of Russia’s restrictive laws, has sparked outrage and mobilised citizens, with some of the largest demonstrations since the country’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
The Bill and Its Implications The proposed bill mandates that organisations receiving over 20 per cent of their funding from abroad register as agents of foreign influence or face severe fines. Critics argue that this move threatens Georgia’s aspirations of joining the European Union and stifles civil society.
Protesters Stand Firm Protesters gathered on Sunday evening, vowing to spend the night outside the parliament building to prevent lawmakers from proceeding with the bill’s third reading. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s determination to push the legislation forward has only fuelled demonstrators’ resolve.
A Show of Unity Carrying European Union and Georgian flags, protesters flooded Tbilisi’s main Rustaveli Avenue. President Salome Zurabishvili cautioned demonstrators to remain vigilant against provocations. Days earlier, activists reported harassment, and protesters faced water cannons and tear gas.
Defiance and Determination Despite warnings of arrests, protesters remain steadfast. They fear that the bill, if enacted, would undermine Georgia’s pro-European stance and mirror Russia’s controversial 2012 “foreign agents” law, which targeted government critics.
Voices from the Streets Nadezhda Polyakova, a 20-year-old student born and raised in Georgia but of Russian ethnicity, expressed her frustration: “We, as students, don’t see a future with this Russian law. We stand with Europe.” Another protester, Vakhtang Rukhaia, defiantly declared, “It’s my 35th day of protest, and I’m not going anywhere. I am so mad and angry.”
Youth-Led Movement The protests have been predominantly driven by Georgia’s younger generation, including students still attending school or university. Their unwavering commitment underscores the gravity of the situation and the stakes for Georgia’s democratic future.
As the sun sets over Tbilisi, the defiance echoes continue reverberating through the city streets. The battle for democratic values and European integration rages on, with Georgians standing united against a bill that threatens their hard-fought freedoms
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