The resistance movement has begun, not at anyone’s command, not at anyone’s request, but spontaneously. We are united until Georgia reaches its goal of returning to its European path, – stated the President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, in a video message.

Salome Zourabichvili addressed law enforcement officers, emphasizing that nothing is happening on Rustaveli Avenue or in other cities that requires their intervention or crackdown.

“It is clear in every way that no one is willing to accept a Russified Georgia, a Georgia with a seized constitution, a Georgia under the control of an illegitimate government and parliament. That is why there are so many of you out there demonstrating on Rustaveli Avenue and in other cities like Batumi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Akhmeta, Lagodekhi, and Telavi. It is unprecedented that Georgian citizens are demonstrating simultaneously and spontaneously in this peaceful manner,” she said.

She urged special forces not to use force against the protesters, stressing that those responsible will be held accountable.

“This protest has already yielded results. We have seen that 155 employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have distanced themselves from the new pro-Russian policy and expressed their protest through signatures. One of our ambassadors in Bulgaria resigned, and others in five different cities have also protested. More than 40 employees of the Ministry of Defense have also joined the protest, which is also highly significant. I want to reiterate that as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, I stand by our military personnel, who are being told that our partners are unreliable and being insulted; this is unacceptable,” said Zourabichvili.

According to the President, the protest action has spread throughout the country, and the participants remain committed to it.

“I can say today that the resistance movement has begun, started by you, not at anyone’s instructions, not at anyone’s request, but spontaneously – a peaceful and constitutional resistance movement. I stand in solidarity with you, and I am completely by your side. We are all united until Georgia achieves its goal of returning to its European path, holding new elections, and ensuring a future that is secure once and for all,” concluded Salome Zourabichvili.