In a significant display of unity and dissent, a large crowd assembled in Tbilisi on Georgia's anniversary of independence, using the occasion not only to commemorate liberation from Russian occupation but also to vocalize opposition to a recently proposed bill. Departing from the typical festivities associated with the country's Independence Day, protestors took to the streets with a clear message, rejecting the government's draft legislation that could potentially restrict the activities of NGOs deemed to have significant foreign financial backing.
The mobilization of demonstrators, predominantly led by the younger generation in Georgia, has been sustained for over a month, indicating the deep-rooted concerns and frustrations within the population regarding the proposed bill. The contentious draft legislation put forth by the government in April has sparked widespread outrage, with accusations that it aims to stifle dissent by imposing restrictive measures on organizations funded from overseas, echoing laws implemented in Russia. This resistance to the proposed regulations reflects a broader sentiment among the protesters that the government's actions could jeopardize the democratic principles and freedom of expression that they seek to uphold.