Thread by @64project_

On October 4, Georgian Dream held local elections boycotted by almost all opposition parties. Only two, who were originally part of the protest movement, decided to still participate even though polls showed that the majority of the protest electorate opposed it. GD, of course, won in all 64 districts, including Tbilisi. 1/

On the other side, United National Movement leaders and affiliated political figures declared October 4 as the day of a “peaceful coup,” or in other words “a revolution”. The idea was rejected by all other opposition parties and viewed with suspicion by many within the protest movement. Still, protesters gathered as they have for 310 consecutive nights but in bigger numbers. 2/

Until the last moment, it wasn’t clear what the plan was or why they were so sure Bidzina Ivanishvili would leave the country the next day. The plan was revealed during the rally itself, when Paata Burchuladze, one of the organizers and a famous opera singer, announced that from now on, power belongs to the people of Georgia. He called on the crowd to “vote” for this by raising their hands. 3/

x.com/AnnaGvarishvil…

After that, Burchuladze declared that protesters should take over each institutional building one by one and urged Special Task Forces and the MIA to obey “the people’s power.” The plan began with the Presidential Residence — an absurd choice in many ways. 4/

https://x.com/64project_/status/1974523081155543391

A group of protesters attacked the Residence and were dispersed by the Special Task Forces, while others decided to continue the protest peacefully on Rustaveli Avenue, just as they have for the past 310 days. 5/

https://x.com/64project_/status/1974502594014847249

Burchuladze, 70, was gassed during the clashes and later hospitalized, where Special Task Forces entered the facility. Two other organizers, Murtaz Zodelava and Irakli Nadiradze, were also arrested, and Burchuladze will likely be detained as well. The Ministry of Internal Affairs launched investigations under four criminal articles, including an attempted coup d’état. 6/

x.com/AnnaGvarishvil…

The future looks uncertain, even frightening, but for what it’s worth, #GeorgiaProtests continue. Organizers of today’s rally declared that the revolution has only just begun.

@AnnaGvarishvili for Project 64