The protests ran from November 2024 to November 2025 after disputed October 2024 elections and a government decision to suspend the EU integration process. Thousands of people gathered daily on Rustaveli Avenue, a central street about 1.5 kilometres from Freedom Square, to defend European aspirations and oppose the ruling Georgian Dream party.
In November 2024 confrontations escalated when police used water cannons, tear gas and pepper spray. Protesters responded with fireworks and nightly clashes. Dozens of media workers were injured; one journalist suffered life‑threatening wounds. In early December over 450 people were detained in the first two weeks, and civil society groups reported brutality by security forces.
Through 2025 both sides adapted. Protesters used protective gear, disabled tear gas canisters and staged thematic marches. Authorities banned fireworks, face masks and lasers, raised fines for road‑blocking and criminalised blocking major exits. The government also restricted foreign grants and political donations and carried out raids on organisers’ homes. Courts handed prison sentences and fines to many protesters, and some accused were later cleared of serious drug charges. By the one‑year anniversary crowds were smaller but hundreds, sometimes thousands, still protested daily.
Difficult words
- dispute — to say that something is not agreed or fairdisputed
- suspend — to stop something for a time
- aspiration — a strong hope or goal for the futureaspirations
- confrontation — angry or violent meetings between groupsconfrontations
- detain — to keep someone in official custodydetained
- brutality — use of extreme physical force that hurts people
- criminalise — to make an action illegal by lawcriminalised
- raid — sudden searches or attacks by police or soldiersraids
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Discussion questions
- Do you think these daily protests could change the government's decision about EU integration? Why?
- How might bans on fireworks, face masks and lasers affect both protesters and police?
- What actions could protesters use to protect people during confrontations while staying peaceful?
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