Greta Thunberg joins rally against Georgia’s government
Swedish activist denounces contested parliamentary vote as "an outrageous development, an authoritarian development."
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg joined a political demonstration against Georgia’s government in Tbilisi on Monday.
“I am here to express my support and solidarity to all activists and citizens who are coming forward to defend their fundamental rights such as freedom, justice and democracy,” Thunberg told local media.
Georgia held parliamentary elections on Oct. 26 resulting in the pro-Moscow Georgian Dream party retaining power with almost 54 percent support. Opposition parties and President Salome Zourabichvili claimed the vote had been marred by intimidation, vote-buying and fraud, and vowed to overturn the results.
“This is an outrageous development, an authoritarian development that is happening in Georgia now, and I have great respect for the people who again and again fill the streets and use the right to demonstrate to express their dissatisfaction with the current situation, despite the oppression,” Thunberg said.
The activist was pictured wearing a keffiyah, in a nod to Palestinians suffering under Israel’s occupation and military assault. Her foray into Georgian politics is the latest widening of her activism, which has seen her arrested during pro-Palestine demonstrations this year.
According to local media, opposition leaders announced the rally a few days ago, marking the second major protest since the elections. Following the ballot, the European Commission delivered a critical progress report on Georgia’s EU accession, putting put the country’s membership aspirations on ice.
“This week is the week of resistance marches throughout Tbilisi,” Giorgi Vashadze, a member of the opposition United National Movement, said during the rally.
“We demand the appointment of new elections. We do not recognize the stolen elections and we do not recognize the legitimacy of the parliament,” he said, warning that protests will intensify in the days to come.
“Joining this fight is not only our responsibility, it is the responsibility of everyone,” he added.
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