The 2024/2025 Demonstrations in Georgia Concern Us All
By Jacob Vestervig
February 15, 2025
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges all Danes to keep their distance from large gatherings in Georgia – understandably so, as there have been serious clashes between protesters and the police representing the regime.
Opponents, cultural figures, journalists, and other civilians have been arrested without cause, and reportedly, several have been subjected to violence, threats, and imprisonment. You can read about the core of the issue here.
Initially, we had planned to stay away and had even booked accommodation in a different part of Tbilisi than where the demonstrations were taking place.
But something drew us in.
We found ourselves discussing the immense courage shown by the protesters day after day (77 days in a row at the time of writing) and the fact that this issue does not concern only Georgia but all of Europe.
So, we ventured out to Rustaveli Avenue—first one afternoon, when only a few hundred were present, then one evening with a few thousand, and finally, an evening with tens of thousands.
We felt the atmosphere deep in our bones and experienced a strong sense of unity in being European and in being—or becoming—a part of the EU. We felt solidarity, cohesion, and anger. And joy from the people we spoke to, who were grateful for our participation.
Most of all, we ourselves felt joy in participating, in being part of a larger struggle, even though we kept a relatively low profile.
Through our journey across Eastern Europe, we had witnessed how fragile democracies still are after decades of communist rule, turmoil, corruption, and ever-changing leaders, even to this day. We saw how many had sacrificed their lives and livelihoods in the name of freedom.
That is why it is a shared responsibility to preserve our democracy as we know it and to keep Russia (and others) from once again ruling over anyone but themselves.
And that is why we took part!
