Prepared by Messenger Staff
President Zourabichvili Calls on Citizens to Continue Peaceful Protests on Rustaveli Avenue
Georgia's fifth President, Salome Zourabichvili, has called on citizens to gather on Rustaveli Avenue and continue what she described as a peaceful protest movement. Her remarks came in response to a statement by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), which warned that any gatherings in the coming days would be treated as a continuation of yesterday's attempted unrest and that measures would be taken to prevent threats to public order and security.
In her address, Zourabichvili rejected the ministry's characterization of the demonstrations and said that citizens should not be intimidated. "The regime, today more than ever, wants to crush the Rustaveli protest, which is why the Ministry of Internal Affairs' statement that the rallies are an echo of yesterday's protest is a lie. This will not sway or scare us," she said.
Zourabichvili emphasized that the demonstrations would remain peaceful and focused on defending democratic principles. "Today, more than ever, it is essential that we all go out to Rustaveli together. Let us stand on Rustaveli because Rustaveli must be defended," she said.
She described the ongoing protest, which has lasted more than 300 days, as a movement to protect the Constitution and Georgia's European future. "We must defend Rustaveli. It is the guarantee that this regime will collapse," she stated.
Zourabichvili also reiterated that the path forward should remain constitutional and democratic, adding that "the day will come for elections, true and fair parliamentary elections, where we will truly make a choice."
She urged continued unity and persistence: "Today is a day of defense. I call on everyone to come out together and continue this peaceful protest for as long as necessary, until the end."
Tbilisi City Hall Reports Infrastructure Damage Following October 4 Protests
Tbilisi City Hall announced that widespread damage was caused to city infrastructure and public spaces during the protests held near the Presidential Palace on October 4.
In a statement, the municipality said that "damage was caused to the facades of cultural heritage monuments, part of the shutters and decorative artistic lighting." It added that on Orbeliani Street, Tabukashvili Street, and Rustaveli Avenue, pedestrian sidewalks, paving stones, outdoor lighting poles, and electrical wires were damaged. Decorative lights on Orbeliani Street were also broken, and garbage containers were burned on Tabukashvili Street.
According to the statement, outdoor furniture placed by private companies and café owners on rented public space was damaged. "As you know, the fence of the presidential administration yard was broken, and the bollards located on the opposite side were damaged and bent, which protects the pedestrian zone from the car zone," the City Hall said.
The municipality reported that various urban elements, including swings, plants, flower pots, and other decorative features on recently rehabilitated streets and near cafés, suffered significant damage. "Some of them are subject to restoration, while others have been completely destroyed," the statement noted.
City Hall also said that road signs in the area were broken and several decorative components of the Konka monument were damaged.
According to the statement, employees of Tbilservice Group are currently working on-site to clean and repair the affected areas.
