"We Remember November 7" Protest Rally to Be Held in Tbilisi

People's movement "No Nazism" will hold a peaceful march today on Rustaveli Avenue with the slogan "We Remember November 7."

As the information released by the rally organizers reads, the protest will start at 4pm and “people affected by the Saakashvili regime” will take part in it.

The participants “urge the population to become active for the second round of the presidential elections and reject the violent Saakashvili government.”

The same group of people held a similar rally on November 4 in Vere Park.

In 2007, a series of anti-government protests took place across Georgia. The demonstrations peaked on 2 November 2007, when 50,000–100,000 people rallied in downtown Tbilisi. People protested against the allegedly corrupt government of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili.

Demonstrations occurred both in September and November 2007 and were initially largely peaceful. The protests went downhill by 6 November 2007, but turned violent the next day when the police, using heavy-handed tactics, including tear gas and water cannon, unblocked Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi's main boulevard, dislodged the protesters from the territory adjoining the House of Parliament, and prevented the demonstrators from resuming protests.

The government accused the Russian secret services of being involved in an attempted coup d'état and declared a nationwide state of emergency later that day which lasted until late 16 November 2007.

By Thea Morrison

Photo: November 7, 2007. Dispersal of the protest rally in Tbilisi.