“People Can Change Everything”, says the Samtskhe-Javakheti Region

A series of demonstrations organized by the National Council of United Opposition ended at 5:00 PM in Akhaltsikhe. Nearly two thousand people came to hear representatives from the opposition speak in front of the Regional Administration building. Slogans of “Georgia without the President,” “Elections Must Be Held within Constitutional Terms” and “Samtskhe-Javakheti Region without Vano” (Vano Merabishvili, the Internal Minister of Georgia, was born in the region) could be heard at the demonstration.

Demonstrations organized by the United Opposition started at 12:00 AM in Tbilisi and continued in Mtskheta, Gori, Khashuri, Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe. These are in preparation for the large-scale opposition demonstration that will be held on November 2.

The opposition members arrived in Akhaltsikhe with posters, flags and a long line of cars.

Although certain parts of the group were not sure that people would attend the demonstration, the local population came out in force. Their number reached two thousand, shouting together with United Opposition, “We Are Not Afraid!”

Gia Tortladze, a member of United Georgia, drew attention in his statement to the importance of public support, overcoming general fear and the need for unity of the whole nation. “A lot of people come out to meet us in every region. People in the whole of Georgia have similar feelings regarding the situation. This region, where our historical heroes Shalva and Ivane Akhaltsikhelebi were born, must not give birth to bribers, murderers and robbers. I want Akhaltsikhe residents to attend the demonstration on November 2 in Tbilisi.”

Retired people comprised a large part of the demonstrators. Koba Davitashvili, leader of the “Khalkhis Partia” (Party for People) noted that, “We want to bring society together. The country must be governed in the spirit of mutual respect and coordination. There must not be violence, injustice, torture in the prisons and suppression of people. All promises must be kept to retired people, depositees and entrepreneurs.”

Opposition leaders often mentioned the name of the Internal Minister, Vano Merabishvili.

“Akhaltsikhe is not property of Merabishvili and his family members. Amiran Meskheli and Vano Merabishvili have shares in all enterprises in the region. They shared the whole region. Akhaltsikhe is terrorized. We have not fought for that. How long should we endure this situation?!” stated Zviad Dzidziguri, leader of Conservative Party.

The main goal was to convince people to attend the demonstration in Tbilisi on November 2. “Akhaltsikhe residents, descendents of Shalva Akhaltsikheli, we are gathering on November 2 for victory and we will win. It will not be a victory of one certain political party, but the whole Georgian nation will win. Those who believe in victory should join us and we will win on November 2 in front of the Georgian Parliament,” said Davit Berdzenishvili.

Residents of the Adigeni district also arrived at the demonstration.

“We hired a bus in the village to come here. We do not want this government,” said a resident of the village of Varkhani in the Adigeni District.

“I support the United Opposition,” said Davit Bashalauri, a resident of Akhaltsikhe.

Most of the demonstrators intend to go to the capital to attend the demonstration on November 2.

“I will go to attend the demonstration because I am eager to. People can change everything,” said Mzia Gozalishvili, a resident of Akhaltsikhe.

“I’ve joined the opposition. I am thinking of going to Tbilisi to attend the demonstration,” said Nino Merabishvili, a resident of the village of Ude in the Adigeni District.

“All people with restricted rights should know that their future will be cleared up on November 2. Thus, we should think over the method to make current government resign,” it was the last statement made at the event in Akhaltsikhe. The demonstration finished without incident.

The opposition wrote the slogan “We Are Not Afraid!” on the ground in front of the administrative building.
 

Gulo Kokhodze,Akhaltsikhe