Ana Tsitlidze: Today’s rally will not be a one-off event that simply takes place and ends; on the contrary, it should mark the beginning of large-scale protests across the country

"Today’s rally will not be a one-off event that simply takes place and ends; on the contrary, it should mark the beginning of large-scale protests across the country," stated Ana Tsitlidze, a leader of the United National Movement.

She added that protests are the only way to exert pressure on Georgian Dream.

Speaking about the rally announced for today, Tsitlidze noted that they do not intend to enter into conflict or confrontation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

"We do not intend to engage in conflict or confrontation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. We plan to hold this rally peacefully and calmly. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has no valid grounds to prevent us from exercising our constitutional right to gather peacefully.

In general, we need to resume protests and the protest must evolve into even larger-scale demonstrations. The National Movement plays a leading role in this. This rally will not be a one-off event that simply takes place and ends. On the contrary, this rally should mark the beginning of large-scale protests across the country. This is how we view the push for the release of not only Mikheil Saakashvili but all political prisoners. The country has political prisoners, including journalists, activists, and students. People are being detained simply for standing on the sidewalk, and under these circumstances, rallies are the only way we can exert pressure on the regime from within the country," said Tsitlidze.

For context, according to Irakli Pavlenishvili, Chairman of the National Movement’s Governing Council, the Ministry of Internal Affairs denied permission to hold a rally scheduled for October 1st at Rike Park; nevertheless, they intend to gather near the Rike Tubes structure on October 1st at 5:00 PM.