Protestors Seeking Democracy Target Georgia Military Parade

TBILISI, Georgia, May 24, 2011 -

Protestors demanding democratic change in Georgia plan to disrupt a huge
military parade on Thursday (26 May) organised by the ruling regime of
President Mikheil Saakashvilli.

This will be the sixth consecutive day that thousands of opponents to
President Saakashvilli's government have taken to the streets to demand
political, social and economic reform.

The peaceful action is led by the country's leading political opponent
Nino Burjanadze of the Public Assembly and Democratic Movement - United
Georgia Party.

Nino Burjanadze said: "We have faced violence and provocation from
President Saakashvilli's brutal thugs in our demands for change but our
resolve is undiminished and the country has had enough of chronic
unemployment, corruption and selective justice.

"The people of Georgia seek nothing more than freedom to determine their
own future and for too long their wishes have been swept to one side by
President Saakashvilli's iron fisted authoritarian rule. But this cannot
continue.

"He has spent millions of dollars in the west portraying himself as a
democratic leader when in fact he has tried to crush any domestic opposition
to his tyranny.

"In the past few days peaceful and innocent protestors have been attacked
indiscriminately by undercover police officers, some of whom travel around in
vehicles disguised as Red Cross vehicles. Roads have been blocked, bus
drivers arrested and railway stations controlled, all to stop the travel
plans of far minded people who simply want to march in peace and have their
voices heard.

"The military parade on Thursday is meant to celebrate our nation's
independence when in fact it depicts an old fashioned Soviet style show of
strength to engender fear among the populace.

"President Saakashvilli and his ancient regime need to know that the
world has moved on from those dark days and that democracy means fair and
free elections need to be held as soon as possible.

"That's why we've taken to the streets and that's why we will not be
beaten, whatever forces we may face."

Zhenya Harrison / +77-7917-554-824