Kelly Degnan Condemns 'Coordinated' Violence at Tbilisi Pride Festival
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, July 14, 2023
US Ambassador to Georgia H.E. Kelly Degnan expressed her sadness at witnessing the actions of hateful individuals who resorted to violence and justified their actions in the name of God. Her response was in relation to the disturbance caused by violent groups during the Tbilisi Pride festival. Degnan further stated that the violence seemed to be coordinated, a fact that raises significant concern.
The ambassador highlighted that despite assurances from the Ministry of Internal Affairs officials that protesters would be prevented from reaching the festival and kept at a safe distance, this did not occur. The police allowed them to breach the cordon and cause damage to private property.
Degnan condemned individuals resorting to violence in order to disrupt a private event, particularly when they justified their actions in the name of God. She emphasized that while people may hold differing opinions, there is a shared agreement that Christian values encompass compassion, love, tolerance, and respect for all individuals, as everyone is believed to be made in the image of God.
The ambassador pointed out that a day prior to the incident, Ministry of Internal Affairs officials had assured that protesters would not be permitted in the area and that measures would be taken to maintain a safe distance from the festival. According to Degnan, these assurances were not fulfilled, and unruly mobs were allowed to march through the streets of Tbilisi.
Degnan expressed deep concern regarding the allegedly coordinated violence against individuals on the streets of Tbilisi, noting that these are the same extremists witnessed in 2021. She highlighted their presence on social media platforms, where they openly promote violence and proudly align themselves with it, making threats to cause harm. The ambassador stated that the people of Tbilisi would feel safer if those captured on video during the raid were arrested and held accountable for their actions.
"It was very sad to see hateful people resorting to violence to disrupt a private concert, especially when they claimed to be acting in the name of God. While people may not agree on many things, there is a shared belief that Christian values encompass compassion, love, tolerance, and respect for all individuals, as everyone is made in the image of God.
On the day before last week's Saturday, Ministry of Internal Affairs officials claimed that protesters would not be allowed in the area and that they would be kept at a safe distance from the festival. However, none of these assurances were fulfilled. Unruly mobs were allowed to march for miles through the streets of Tbilisi, calling for violence. Not only did they breach the police perimeter, but they also entered the area and destroyed private property without facing retaliation from the police.
The allegedly coordinated violence against people happening in the streets of Tbilisi is very disturbing. These are the same extremists we saw in 2021, and they actively promote violence on platforms like Facebook. They openly make threats to break jaws, spill blood, and proudly align themselves with violence. The people captured on the videos of the raid should be arrested and held accountable. Everyone in Tbilisi would feel safer if this happens," said Degnan.
