No Downtown Rallies – Municipality Tells Opposition
The nine-party opposition coalition will not be allowed to hold demonstrations between January 19 and January 21, the Tbilisi city municipality said in a statement on Wednesday.
The coalition, backing Levan Gachechiladze’s presidential bid, had notified in advance the Tbilisi Mayor’s Office of its intention to stage a rally on Rose Square (formerly Republic Square), followed by a march through the capital’s main thoroughfare – Rustaveli Avenue – in the direction of Freedom Square on January 19-21.
The municipality, however, said in response: “The venue for the presidential inauguration [outside Parliament on Rustaveli Avenue] coincides with the route of your demonstration. Thus, the local self-government body cannot create the necessary conditions for your demonstration.”
It also said that preparations for the inauguration were well underway, so a rally was out of the question even now.
Rose Square, the municipality said, was an inappropriate venue, too, as it would be used as a staging ground for soldiers and military equipment involved in the inauguration.
Rike – an open area a few kilometers from Parliament – has also been ruled out as a venue. The area, a traditional focus for demonstrations, would, according to the municipality, be used by troops following the inauguration.
