"March of Georgians" underway in Tbilisi

In the capital of Georgia, over 1000 persons are taking part in the oppositional protest action against the policy of the authorities named the "March of Georgians". In the course of their march, the protesters have blocked the traffic in Rustaveli Avenue and Baratashvili Street.

The participants have advanced from the "Revolution of Roses" Square to the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Avlobar, near the presidential residence, where the funeral service will be held on all the casualties of the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict (an armed conflict in Abkhazia between Abkhazian and Georgian forces in 1992-1993, - note of the "Caucasian Knot"). The service will be conducted by the Patriarch of Georgia Elias the Second.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the organizers of the actions said at their conference on September 12 that during the "March of Georgians" no demands would be put forward. It will be just an expression of protest against the policy of the government.

"People should say aloud that they are dissatisfied with the way the authorities run the country. They encroach on our language and traditions; thus, they should respond for it," said Sanikidze.

He has treated the today's action as a start of a new "national movement."

A week before the rally, Sanikidze called Georgian oppositionists to unite and hold a joint action; however, the oppositional parties did not support him.