Protests Against Police Raid, Anti-Drug Policy Continue

Only in the early morning hours, the speakers fell silent in front of the old parliament building and the police were able to open up Rustaveli Avenue to traffic once more. It was a powerful night and a clear statement was made by the youth movements of Georgia in protest of the zero-tolerance drug policy of the government. 

After a violent police raid on Saturday morning cracked down on the thriving nightclubs Bassiani and Café Gallery, protesters took to the streets from 3 PM with an official demonstration against the raid. Although a considerable amount of people gathered on Rustaveli Avenue, the crowd was at first manageable. Within a couple of hours, though, this changed and the police had to close Tbilisi’s traffic artery, Rustaveli Avenue, to cope with the protesters. 

Various speakers stepped onto the stage voicing the repetitive victimization from the Georgian authorities. “This is not about drugs, this is about a new lifestyle. A lifestyle undesired by conservative groups in the country,” proclaimed one protester. Both nightclubs have complained in the past about attempts by authorities to subvert their operations, whereas the government alleges drug trafficking networks operating within the clubs.

One protestor told GEORGIA TODAY, "The government said in their official statement that they knew who the dealers were, that they had bought drugs from them over a three month period- exactly when those young people died. Their deaths could have been avoided. But the authorities waited."

"We're not supporting or defending drug dealers," she went on. "We are protesting the show the government staged as an act of demonstration of power, an act against Kaladze and his night economy project, an act of moving the attention from the core of the problem to the minor one."

As time went on, the protesters demanded a dialogue with Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia to discuss the consequences of the raid and to engage in drug liberalization reforms. As their deadline to make a statement expired at 10 PM, the crowd started to call for their resignation.

Afterwards, the avenue was transformed into a techno-music scene with dozens of individuals dancing to the sounds of famous DJs, which offered to play gigs. At around 2 AM, the organizers stopped the rave, allowing ravers to get some sleep. Yet, the protests are to continue today at 3 PM in front of the old parliament.

By Benjamin Music

Photo: Reuters