VIDEO: Opposition Rally in Tbilisi Draws Thousands of Protesters

Today, thousands of protesters have gathered on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, near the parliament building, for an opposition rally. According to TASS, the protesters are demanding early parliamentary elections to be held under a proportional system.

“It has been 16 years since we have stood on Rustaveli Avenue. None of the authorities understand that establishing an authoritarian regime in Georgia is impossible. Today we have gathered because a recent unprecedented event has taken place: the government has overturned the constitutional reform to transition to a proportional system. We were promised this, but after five months, the authorities have backed out,” said Anzor Bichadze, a member of the Political Council of the ‘Democratic Movement - United Georgia’ party.

Rustaveli Avenue remains closed as tents have been set up there since Thursday, where people are spending the night and lighting fires in iron barrels. Security measures at the rally site have been significantly intensified.

You can follow the protest live on Alik Media with Armenian commentary.