The rally in support of Georgia's European future concluded in Freedom Square in Tbilisi, with tens of thousands of participants. The event was organized by non-governmental organizations one week before the parliamentary elections on October 26.
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President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili addressed the gathered citizens: "I want to greet you with great love and emotion. Today is one of those days in the history of Georgia that will be memorable for our children and grandchildren.
No one has come here by force; no one has come here because they were told, 'or you will lose your job.' No student has come because they were told, 'otherwise you won't get a scholarship.'
Nothing is more precious than freedom. There is nothing more precious than freedom and peace. Today, here are the Georgians who are entering Europe peacefully, with dignity, and as Georgians. Today, here is the Georgia of tomorrow and yesterday. When I say yesterday, I do not mean the one that was sunk in the Soviet clutches, but the free Georgia of our ancestors and honorable history. That Georgia and this Georgia are one, and both will enter Europe together," said the President.
"Today's rally, which unites tens of thousands of people, is another loud statement that the Georgian people are estranged from the Russian oligarch and are not going to follow him to Russia.
We want to move forward - toward a strong, safe, and prosperous Georgia - and we will certainly achieve this," said Ana Natsvilishvili, one of the leaders of Strong Georgia.
"This is the last warning to Bidzina Ivanishvili before the elections that the Georgian people will not give up on the European future.
We have heard Ivanishvili threatening to change the Constitution, and I am sure one of his evil plans is to cancel Article 78 of the Constitution, which outlines the importance of Euro-Atlantic integration. He will not be given the opportunity to do so. The Georgian people will protect the Constitution of Georgia and the chance to realize the European choice through their own choice," said Tina Bokuchava, chairman of Unity - National Movement.
Before the rally, members of Georgian Dream urged citizens not to participate in the event, making homophobic statements.
"I am simply appealing to all honest citizens who have been misled: do you know that next to this 'Pride,' i.e., next to the gay men, and together with members of the LGBT community, you are also invited to talk about the development of Georgia and its future - do you agree to this? Are you in favor of lesbian, gay activists and their propaganda being on the agenda here? If so, then you are welcome there," responded Georgian Dream MP Irakli Zarkua to today's demonstration.
