Thousands Attend Rally ‘Hope to Europe’, Shame Movement Announces Party Establishment
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
The rally for supporting Georgia’s European future was held in front of Parliament on June 20. At the demonstration, the, which was one of the organizators, announced the establishment of the new party which will happen on June 24. The rally ‘Home to Europe!’ was attended by multiple thousand people in the capital.
“Our call is to create a National Council of the People's Movement with equal, unanimous parity, but with a majority of civil society votes, that unites us all: civil movements and groups, NGOs, journalists and media unions, political parties, student, cultural and professional unions. Based on the consensus of all the groups included in it, the new People's Movement will make demands on the government,” the ‘Movement of Shame’ manifesto said.
It is also said that non-fulfillment of their demands leads to mass disobedience.
“All regions and cities of Georgia will stand up so that a wave of non-violent resistance will destroy all those who will block our country on its way to Europe.”
The next rally was announced on June 24, after the European Council announces its decision on Georgia’s candidacy to the EU.
At the end of the rally, the participants marched to Europe Square.
Before the rally President Salome Zourabichvili issued a special address. In a live broadcast, she spoke about the importance of the European Commission's recommendation, noting that work is now needed in the common interest of the country. She also welcomed the rally planned in front of the parliament and called on the law enforcers to do everything possible to hold the rally peacefully.
“Rarely do such crucial days occur in the history of a nation. Now we are at such a crucial moment in our history. I try to use these last days to advance our interests. I personally send emails to our partners.”
According to her the recommendation of the European Commission to give us a European perspective, is a big thing that we probably could not have dreamed of. So far, we have not been granted candidate status and they give us hope that if we implement reforms, they will give us.
“I would like to welcome everyone who will come to the demonstration. It is very important to show our face. I would like to appeal to everyone once again that no one comes here for any excesses and I appeal to the law enforcers to do everything to keep calm. I also appreciate the Prime Minister's statement today. This is right and that is what we want,” Zourabichvili said.
