"Our Voice to Europe" - the large-scale March for Europe in Tbilisi. Photo/video
On May 11th in Tbilisi, tens of thousands of people rallied against the “foreign agents bill,” organizing a massive procession adorned with the flags of Georgia and the European Union – the March for Europe.
Led by the civil sector, participants aimed to communicate to European leaders that Georgia belongs in Europe, echoing the desires of its citizens, in contrast to the government’s stance.
Chanting “Our voice to Europe,” they conveyed their aspirations to align with European values and integration.
- “Reconsider aid to Georgia, impose sanctions” – 29 US Congress members demand withdrawal of foreign agents bill
- The Georgian Ambassador to France and Monaco has resigned due to the “foreign agents” bill
- “Quo vadis, Georgia?” – EU Special representative for the South Caucasus
Demonstrators gathered at four different locations in Tbilisi, then marched several kilometers to Europe Square.
Thousands of people streamed through the streets of nighttime Tbilisi along both banks of the Mtkvari River, carrying flags, banners, and illuminated flashlights on their mobile phones, from the city center to Europe Square.
President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili joined the “March for Europe.” She was the sole representative of the Georgian government to participate in the procession.
The march became part of the ongoing mass protests that have been taking place in Georgia for over a month.
Those gathered at Europe Square unfurled huge flags of Georgia and the European Union on the ground. Then, the anthems of Georgia and the European Union were played.
March participants sang the famous song “Suliko” together with singer Nino Katamadze.
During the march, late at night amidst rain and wind, a young man named Guram Khutsishvili climbed up the huge monument of King Vakhtang Gorgasali, located near the Metekhi Church, and attached the Georgian flag to the king’s hand.
Another scene from yesterday’s historic demonstration in Tbilisi: a young man scaled the statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali atop the Metechi cliff to place the Georgian flag in his hand.
An estimated 300,000 people took part in the protest on May 11, continuing their opposition… pic.twitter.com/g60yMqRa7T
— JAMnews (@JAMnewsCaucasus) May 12, 2024
Despite the rainy weather, the March for Europe continued at Europe Square until late at night.
The march was preceded by beatings, threats, and intimidation of participants in protests against the “foreign agents bill.” Social media was flooded with posts in which civil activists, journalists, opposition politicians, and representatives of non-governmental organizations wrote that unknown individuals were calling them on the phone and insulting them.
This march was hailed as the largest and most extensive demonstration in decades in Georgia. According to various estimates, on the night of May 11, there were no fewer than 150,000 people at Europe Square. According to Visioner, the total number of people reached 300,000 throughout the day.
These figures are determined based on the area occupied by the demonstrators.
