TBILISI, May 26 – Opposition supporters marched toward parliament in Tbilisi on Tuesday evening, the second stage of Independence Day events, after the government’s official ceremonies earlier in the day.
The protest began outside the first building of Tbilisi State University, where supporters of the Opposition Alliance gathered from around 7pm. Party leaders, members, supporters and other opposition politicians were present, according to Interpressnews. The crowd later moved onto the roadway with Georgian and EU flags and began marching toward Rustaveli Avenue and the parliament building.
The march followed a day of tension over protest equipment. Opposition representatives tried to bring structures and technical equipment to Rustaveli Avenue for a planned stage, but the Interior Ministry did not allow it. A minibus carrying the equipment was turned back on the instruction of Goga Memanishvili, head of the Tbilisi main division of the patrol police.
The opposition had earlier said it wanted to hold a full rally near parliament, with speeches, sound equipment and screens. By evening, party leaders said they had not been allowed to place the equipment, but would still try to make their voices heard.
Former president Salome Zourabichvili arrived at the gathering outside Tbilisi State University. Speaking during the march, she said the crowd was in the street for unity and linked that unity to Georgia’s independence.
“This people who came out came out for unity, because independence does not exist without unity,” Zourabichvili said. She added that completing Georgia’s freedom also depends on unity and public energy.
Zourabichvili also criticized a visual image published earlier Tuesday that, according to her, placed Merab Kostava, Zviad Gamsakhurdia and Bidzina Ivanishvili together. She called it “the main insult.” Kostava and Gamsakhurdia were central figures in Georgia’s national movement before the restoration of independence.
Asked about the refusal to let the opposition bring in rally equipment, Zourabichvili said Georgian Dream was acting according to its nature. She said it did not matter whether equipment was allowed in, because “the people are here” and Rustaveli Avenue belongs to the people.
Zurab Japaridze, one of the leaders of the Opposition Alliance, said the certain part of the plan was the gathering and march to parliament. He said organizers were still deciding what they could do after being denied access to their equipment.
Japaridze said the opposition had two decisions, but would not speak about them publicly to avoid creating problems. He said the authorities were either afraid or trying to show force.
“There will be no excesses, if there is a provocation, it will only be from their side,” Japaridze said.
At the university, protesters also collected signatures to support children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. As the march began, participants chanted: “Freedom for the regime’s prisoners!” Organizers said the May 26 gathering would mark the start of a new wave of protest.
During the official Independence Day ceremonies in Tbilisi earlier Tuesday, government leaders celebrated sovereignty, Christian faith, national unity and the role of the army.
