The Art of Protest – A Diverse Protest of People of Different Ages and Professions

The form of the protests in Tbilisi has changed. Instead of the parliament in the evening, the protests have moved to various parts of the city during the day. Simultaneously, protests are being held in the regions. Citizens gather every day near the Adjara Government House.

Protest marches are being organized by representatives of the IT/TECH sector, artists, marketers and writers. Almost every profession has its own agenda. Musicians, actors and directors, representatives of the culture sector are protesting against the change in the pro-Western course at the Ministry. Startups are planning protests near the Technopark. Representatives of the medical sector are gathering in the courtyard of the Medical University, and representatives of the music sector are gathering near the Conservatory building. Lawyers have gathered near the Supreme Court. Journalists are gathering at Republic Square and expressing solidarity with those injured in the protests. Comedians, representatives of electronic music and club spaces, mothers and grandmothers gather separately. All groups of society finally unite in front of the parliament, with common demands.

“Batumi supports the Tbilisi protest,” – despite the bad weather, rallies in Batumi have been going on for the eighteenth day without interruption. A teachers’ march is also being held. On December 15, a performance by students of the University of Arts was held, where they expressed solidarity with the illegally detained dean and four students who participated in pro-Western rallies.

They are demanding new elections in Kutaisi as well. Students of Kutaisi International University and Akaki Tsereteli University have protested the elections several times and called on the government to release the detainees.

Although most citizens of Rustavi mainly attend the rally in the capital, the Rustavi residents marched from the city entrance to the city hall several times. The protesters were protesting the anti-Western steps and violence taken by the government. They asked the police to refuse to carry out unjustified arrests and to side with the people.

The business sector took a different form of protest. Hundreds of companies refused to participate in the New Year fairs organized by the Tbilisi City Hall and regional municipalities. A “Free Business Platform” was created, where more than 300 companies support the statement that “the most pragmatic way to de-escalate is to schedule new elections and release people arrested during the recent processes before the New Year.”