On Friday, May 3, 2024, thousands of Georgians gathered outside the Biltmore Hotel in Tbilisi, the venue for the 57th Annual Meeting of the Asia Development Bank's Board of Governors, to protest against the "Russian Law" and convey their discontent internationally. The protest came as a result of massive demonstrations against a proposed law that has sparked concerns about media freedom and potential implications for Georgia's bid to join the European Union.
According to reports, the Georgian parliament has cancelled its plenary session in response to the widespread protests. On Saturday evening, Georgians marked Orthodox Easter with a peaceful candlelight vigil outside the Parliament, as demonstrations against the proposed law continued. Critics have dubbed the law "the Russian law" due to its perceived resemblance to similar legislation in Russia... which has been used to stigmatize independent journalists and those critical of the Russian government.
During the vigil, protesters held Georgian and EU flags, and a small choir sang Easter songs while activists distributed traditional Easter food, "including hand-painted eggs and cakes." In a departure from earlier mass rallies, "the atmosphere at the vigil was peaceful.".. with unarmed police officers stationed at the sidelines receiving festive food alongside the protesters.
More details: Visit websiteAccording to reports, the Georgian parliament has cancelled its plenary session in response to the widespread protests. On Saturday evening, Georgians marked Orthodox Easter with a peaceful candlelight vigil outside the Parliament, as demonstrations against the proposed law continued. Critics have dubbed the law "the Russian law" due to its perceived resemblance to similar legislation in Russia... which has been used to stigmatize independent journalists and those critical of the Russian government.
During the vigil, protesters held Georgian and EU flags, and a small choir sang Easter songs while activists distributed traditional Easter food, "including hand-painted eggs and cakes." In a departure from earlier mass rallies, "the atmosphere at the vigil was peaceful.".. with unarmed police officers stationed at the sidelines receiving festive food alongside the protesters.
In The News:
Why did bill to stem ‘foreign influence’ trigger protests in Georgia over country's media...TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Georgia has been engulfed by huge protests triggered by a proposed law that critics see as a threat to media freedom and the country's aspirations to join the European Union.
FORMER SOVIET REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA SEES RULING PARTY CAVE TO MASSIVE STREET PROTESTS AS IT SEEKS CLOSER EU TIES
The legislature approved a second reading of the bill Wednesday, and the third and final reading is expected later this month.
The proposed legislation is nearly identical to the one that the governing Georgian Dream party was pressured to withdraw last year after street protests.
