Protesters on Rustaveli recalled the struggle for the Georgian language.
Participants in a rally outside the Georgian Parliament on the 503rd day of continuous protests dedicated their posters to Georgian Language Day, recalling the students' struggle for the state language.
As "Caucasian Knot" reported, on April 13, on the 502nd day of continuous protests, participants in a rally outside the Georgian Parliament celebrated the defeat of Viktor Orban's political force, which supported Georgian Dream, in the Hungarian elections.
Supporters of Georgia's European integration gathered on the pedestrian section of Rustaveli Avenue outside the Parliament for the 503rd consecutive evening with national and EU flags.
Many of the protesters' posters were dedicated to Georgian Language Day, which is celebrated on April 14. This holiday was officially established in 1990 in memory of the mass protests of 1978, when students and intellectuals protested the change of the state language from Georgian to Russian. As a result of the protests, the Georgian language retained its constitutional status.
Activists held signs reading: "A well-fed government for a hungry people," "They took away our language, they took away our faith, they took away our homeland, but you stand and defend Russians," "We, too, will soon win," "The dictatorship is temporary, your timer is on," "Freedom for the victims of the regime," "Every student must have a voice in defense of freedom," "The language of the Kots is Russian," "Only our language is the language of the spirit and heart," "Freedom for Mzia," and "Education is a right, not a privilege," according to posts by photographer Mo Se and Georgian media on Facebook*.
The rally on Rustaveli was preceded by a student protest in defense of education, organized near the building of Tbilisi State University.
“April 14, 1978, is a very symbolic day. Even then, students took to the streets and defended what is most valuable and important—language, the main pillar of our country and culture. Today, students have gathered for almost the same purpose: to defend education, which is under threat from the so-called reforms developed by the ruling party. We demand its repeal and revision,” Pirveli TV quoted a protester as saying.
Protesters in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners since November 28, 2024. Security forces have violently dispersed the protests, using tear gas and water cannons, and detained protesters. Thousands of people have been subjected to administrative prosecution during the protests. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report entitled "The Main Points on the Persecution of Protesters in Georgia".