On the seventh anniversary of “Gavrilov’s Night,” participants of the June 20, 2019 events and political leaders are calling on citizens to join today’s protest march. Tina Bokuchava, chairwoman of the United National Movement, called June 20 the largest civil protest against russification and stated that today’s march must be particularly massive.
“’Gavrilov’s Night,’ in which Elene (Khoshtaria) is undoubtedly one of the heroes, became the first and most visible manifestation of civil resistance to Ivanishvili’s attempts to russify Georgia. It was June 20, 2019, that became the largest civil protest against russification. Therefore, it is especially important that the traditional Saturday march, which is held weekly, be even more crowded, bold, and filled with the spirit of resistance on June 20,” Bokuchava said in an interview with the Pirveli TV company.
These very events allowed a significant part of society to understand the true nature of the “Georgian Dream” government, according to Giorgi Sioridze, a member of the “Strong Georgia” party.
“June 20 became one of the most pivotal turning points in the modern history of Georgia, when a large part of society, perhaps for the first time, realized what kind of political force we are dealing with in the form of ‘Georgian Dream.’ Today, as many people as possible should join the march to remember that day and show the authorities that the resistance has not disappeared,” he noted.
Tbilisi is preparing for the protest rally; participants will begin gathering on Rustaveli Avenue at 19:00.
