Through the past 2 years, Tbilisi has been at the heart of lasting waves of protests, with thousands of Georgians taking to the streets in opposition to the government’s actions. While international observers debate the implications, the perspective of those on the ground provides crucial insight into the movement’s evolution. Nino*, a young protester in Tbilisi, who has been actively involved since the early days, shares her experience and observations on how the protests have developed over time.
Early Protests and Evolutions
“I don’t know if I should say the protests started two years ago when they first introduced the Foreign Agent Law or last year when they reintroduced it. The first time, they backed off. But when they brought it up again, people realized this was serious, that something was really happening.”
The proposed legislation, which many protesters refer to as the “Russian law” due to its alleged resemblance with a law active in Russia, sparked widespread demonstrations throughout 2024. According to Nino, the public response was initially slow, largely because many failed to understand the possible outcomes of the law. Young people, journalists and NGO workers—those who were directly affected by the law—were among the first to mobilize.
Since the beginning fo the protests, the government resorted to force to control the demonstrations, deploying water canons and using tear gas. Soon, the protests merged with broader frustrations about Georgia’s political direction, particularly in relation to its aspirations for European Union membership. Georgia has long sought European Union membership, formally applying in March 2022 alongside Ukraine and Moldova. In December 2023, Georgia was granted EU candidate status—allowing the country to received an evaluation of their candidacy—but negotiations remained conditional on further democratic reforms. The government’s democratic backsliding, including the controversial Foreign Agents Law and electoral concerns, led to growing EU skepticism. In November 2024, the Georgian government announced membership talks would be delayed until 2028, further fueling protests and public discontent.
“The biggest demonstrations happened around summer, when the EU status issue came up. It was huge—indescribably large. People came out from everywhere. Some didn’t even fully understand EU candidacy, but they knew they didn’t want to move toward Russia.”
By the end of 2024, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that EU membership talks would be delayed until 2028.
Georgia held its parliamentary elections on October 26, 2024, with the ruling Georgian Dream party securing 89 out of 150 seats, while opposition parties collectively won 61 seats. However, opposition groups and international observers, including Transparency International, ISFED, the OSCE, and the EU, cited election fraud concerns, pointing to vote-buying, voter intimidation, ballot paper irregularities, and misuse of state resources. Zourabichvili also alleged Russian interference. On November 25, Parliament convened its first session amid mass protests and an opposition boycott, with Zourabichvili refusing to attend due to constitutional violations.
Post-election Escalation
“I was really optimistic before October. I thought the elections might be different. […] In November, people started losing hope: ‘What’s the point?’ some would say. But then something shifted. A huge wave of self-organized movements started, and people started going out every day to fight.”
The protests intensified dramatically after the the parliamentary elections. For 15 consecutive days, violent confrontations between protesters and security forces erupted across Tbilisi. Nino reports that while the opposition was divided during the protests against the Foreign Agent Law, the October 26 elections brought everyone together, from opposition to independent media, artists and photographers.
Social media became a crucial tool in mobilizing and organizing the movement. A grassroots initiative called “Daitove” (meaning “stay with me” in Georgian) emerged as a key platform for protesters. Originally designed to help protesters from outside Tbilisi find accommodation, it over time evolved into a broader coordination network.
“Now this group is huge. It’s where we share everything—spontaneous marches, legal updates, who’s in custody, who has fines, when and where the demonstrations happen. The government targets this group a lot, but it has become the heart of the movement.”
Violence peaked in December 2024, as reports emerged of police torture, mass arrests, and a surge in hospitalizations among protesters. Rather than suppressing the movement, the authorities’ crackdown amplified public outrage. Images of demonstrators—including young people—being beaten circulated widely, galvanizing those previously indifferent. “Even people who didn’t think it was a big deal before got outraged,” Nino recalls.
This period marked a shift in tactics. Instead of static protests, spontaneous marches began happening across the city. Workers began participating in strikes, with some businesses refusing to take part in government events. The government’s response also adapted: by the end of December, security forces shifted from large-scale crackdowns to more targeted attacks on individuals.
However, the repression never truly ended—it merely changed form. Masked agents replaced riot police, carrying out violent crackdowns in a more covert manner:
“At one point, the government even created gangs to attack protesters. These weren’t official riot police—they were just guys in masks working for the government. We called them ‘titushki’—small rogue groups who would randomly show up and beat people in the streets.”
The escalation continues: in February 2025, the Georgian government introduced sweeping legislative changes tightening control over protests, media, and public dissent. New laws criminalized highway blockades, restricted protests in enclosed spaces, penalized verbal insults against officials, and expanded police powers, including extended detention from 15 to 60 days. Human rights organizations condemned these measures as tools for suppressing opposition.
A Personal Fight: Why Protesters Keep Going
For many demonstrators, participation in the movement is not just a political statement but a deeply personal commitment. When asked what motivates her to protest, the young Georgian activist hesitates before answering:
“I don’t think anyone who isn’t Georgian can truly understand what it’s like to love Georgia. It’s a small country, but it has been through so much. Sometimes, it feels like a shithole. Not because of how it looks—it’s a beautiful place. But life is hard. [However,] it feels unfair to just give up on it. I love this country. ”
For many Georgians, this struggle is generational. She recalls how her mother was on the streets during the April 9, 1989, protests—when Soviet forces cracked down on peaceful demonstrators demanding independence:
“I was raised to believe that you protect your land. That’s how my ancestors lived, how they died. My mother was at the protests when tanks were in the streets on April 9. This isn’t just about me. Every generation in Georgia has been through this. It’s like a curse. We always have to fight.”
The protests have had a profound impact on daily life in Georgia. While not everyone actively participates, public opinion is shifting, and Nino indicates that even among those who are not on the streets every day, there is a growing awareness that the movement is making a difference.
The Role of Social Media and Independent Journalism
A key factor in the success and resilience of the protests has been the use of social media and independent media outlets to spread information and mobilize the public.
Facebook remains a dominant force in mobilization: most people watch traditional media outlets through the social media, and it is where the “Daitove” platform operates.
“[On Facebook,] people spread information about what’s happening, organizations create cards explaining laws, and social networks are essential for keeping people informed.”
Independent media has also played a crucial role, despite increasing difficulties to operate, notably due to the Foreign Agent Law. Journalists covering the protests have also faced serious risks: as of December 2024, over 70 cases of violence or interference against media workers were documented, including beatings, arrests, and injuries.
A Leaderless Movement: Spontaneous, Decentralized, and Independent
The Role of Foreign Powers in Georgia’s Crisis
The ongoing protests in Georgia have sparked discussions about the role of foreign actors, particularly the influence of the European Union and Russia. While government officials and some political commentators have suggested that external forces play a role in the unrest, with some critics of the movement labeling Georgia as an “EU puppet,” but Nino dismisses these claims as naive, arguing that that this preference is not the result of foreign manipulation, but rather a reflection of what Georgians have seen and experienced:
“People don’t want to be part of Russia. That’s all. They wave EU flags because they have been to EU countries [and] they would rather be in the EU than in Russia. It’s an obvious choice.”
Instead, she points out that the EU’s real influence in Georgia has been limited to long-term educational programs and funding for civil society initiatives—far from the kind of direct intervention that some suggest.
However, while the protests have captured international attention at various points, sustained global solidarity has been inconsistent.
“There have been some statements of support. Some EU representatives come out and call for ‘freedom for prisoners,’ and there have been sanctions. We see tweets from American politicians, but it’s mostly just words.”
During the peak of the December riots, there was noticeable media attention, particularly from German news outlets, and messages of concern and support also came in from individuals abroad, reports Nino. But as time passed, the crisis in Georgia became less visible, with global attention fading quickly. Despite the scale of the movement, even in 2025, she says there has been no significant international financial backing, no external investments, and no sustained media spotlight.
This lack of sustained international engagement has made the protests an entirely domestic effort.
The Future of Georgia’s Protests
As the protests stretch on, one question remains unanswered: how can the movement sustain itself and achieve real change? For those involved, the path forward is uncertain, but one thing is clear—stopping is not an option.
“If we stop, we are screwed. If the protests die out, then we are really done. The government will tighten its grip.”
The movement has already exhausted many tactics—marches, awareness campaigns, spontaneous mobilizations—yet the situation remains unchanged. New elections could provide a way forward, but there is little belief that the ruling party will allow that to happen.
Nino believes that the key to maintaining momentum is persistence, with the greatest danger being, she argues, letting the protests die out. At the same time, the toll of constant protest is emotionally and physically draining for her. One potential turning point could be the mobilization of those who have so far remained uninvolved:
“Right now, the government doesn’t seem to have a real plan. If things do get worse, maybe we’ll see the poorest people, those who never cared before, finally coming out to protest. That would be a nightmare for the government.”
Another element to take into account is the Georgian Legion, a paramilitary unit engaged against Russia in Ukraine. Recently, the Georgian government has launched investigations towards returning volunteers of the Legion, suspecting them of potential coup plots or activities against the government. While there is no clear evidence supporting these allegations, their experience of warfare tactics and organization could lead to an escalation of violence if the Georgian Legion’s member were to join the protesters.
Conclusion: A Fight for Georgia’s Future
As Georgia’s protests continue into 2025, their outcome remains uncertain. What began as a reaction to a single law has evolved into a broader fight over democracy, European integration, and government repression. Despite violent crackdowns, legal restrictions, and political maneuvers, the movement endures—driven not by opposition parties or external influences, but by ordinary citizens refusing to accept the status quo.
The government’s tightening grip suggests further repression, not compromise, and while the protests remain largely peaceful, prolonged pressure could increase the risk of escalation.
Tomorrow March 7 marks the 100th day of protests since the delay of EU accession talks on November 28. For Nino and many others, this is more than just politics—it is about the right to determine Georgia’s future. As uncertainty looms, one sentiment remains:
“I just hope the movement doesn’t die.”
*To protect anonymity, the name has been changed.