Georgians mark anniversary with civic action

Today is a holiday in Georgia, the 20^th anniversary of the peaceful rally in Tbilisi in support of Georgian independence that was fired on by Soviet troops. Traditionally, Georgians visit the memorial to the 20 victims of that violence on this day to light candles and place wreaths. This time, Georgians have other things on their minds, as the Georgian opposition mobilizes for a demonstration in the capital city Tbilisi.

Reuters reports claims of mass arrests of opposition activists overnight. Former speaker of the Georgian Parliament Nino Burjanadze, now leader of the Democratic Movement – United Georgia Party, stated that 60 people were arrested in the town of Rustavi, outside Tbilisi. Police deny those allegations.

Opposition leaders are predicting 150,000 people will come out in downtown Tbilisi in a show of dissatisfaction with the government of Mikheil Saakashvili. The Georgian president’s popularity has plummeted since the disastrous military conflict with Russia over the Georgian breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

People came to Tbilisi from around the country to participate in a march on the parliament that began at 1:00 local time. At 1:50, the number of participants was estimated at between 15,000 and 30,000. Police have denied reports that transportation into Tbilisi has been cut off. Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili told Reuters in advance of the action that the police would not intervene in it. Ministry officials told Civil.ge that the action would be filmed by the government, and foreign diplomats would be free to view the tapes.

Opposition leaders gathered their followers at different points throughout the city for the march. Among those leaders are Burjanadze, former Georgian ambassador to the UN Irakly Alasania (Alliance for Georgia), former foreign minister Salome Zurabishvili (Georgian Way), and united opposition leader Levan Gachechiladze. Members of the For a United Georgia Party will also be participating. The founder of that party, Irakly Okruashvili, has been granted political asylum in France. A total of 14 parties are being represented.

The pro-opposition Maestro television channel broadcast detailed instructions for assembly yesterday, Civil.ge reports. The broadcast also stated that rallies would be held in front of the headquarters of three televisions stations and the presidential residence as well and that demonstrations will continue “with firmness and patience” until Saakashvili resigns.

Besides the organized marchers, a crowd, estimated by Novosti Gruzia at 500 people, assembled in front of the parliament since this morning. A stage has been set up in front of the building, which is decorated with a placard reading “Let Misha Leave” (in Georgian, “Misha” refers to Saakashvili) and “People for Saakashvili’s Resignation” (in English).

Saakashvili, Burjanadze, Gachechiladze and other state officials and opposition leaders stood together in front of the parliament this morning holding candles in observation of today’s holiday, Civil.ge reports. “No matter how our positions and views may differ we have one motherland, we need unity for the sake of this motherland,” Saakashvili told journalists at that time.

Novosti Gruzia reports that a demonstration is being held simultaneously in Adjara, a one-time separatist region that was peacefully reintegrated into Georgia in 2004. At 3:15 p.m. local time, the rally is underway with no reports of disorder.