Tbilisi, Georgia: Protests Erupt in Response to Foreign Agent Registration Law. Protesters Throw Molotov Cocktails and Petrol Bombs and Attempt to Break Inside Parliament.
State Department Spokesperson Ned Price claims those violating the rights of protesters could be sanctioned and punished.
In response to foreign agent bill that could force media outlets and other organizations to register with the state, a large demonstration erupted in Tbilisi, Georgia. Protesters threw Molotov cocktails, stones, and petrol bombs and attempted to force their way inside Parliament. Police reportedly used water cannons and tear gas and other tactics to disperse protesters:
Some protesters had EU and US flags while others chanted “No to the Russian Law.”
One protester wore a Ukraine flag as a cape and cheered while protesters attempted to remove barricades:
Protesters wearing Ukraine and NATO flags as capes:
A protester waving a Ukrainian flag:
Zelensky thanked protesters in Georgia who played the Ukrainian national anthem and waved Ukrainian flags:
More photos from the protests:
A video of scenes from the protests, including the use of Molotov cocktails and US State Department spokesperson Ned Price:
Police deployed tear gas against the protesters:
A live stream captured scenes from the street of the protest:
Deputies in the Georgian Parliament fought during their legislative sessions the last week about the foreign agent bill:
US State Department Responds
State Department Spokesperson Ned Price responded to question about the protests by supporting the demonstrators rights while claiming those suppressing protests could face sanctions:
Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Todd D. Robinson visited Tbilisi, Georgia between March 6th and March 8th to “attend the Women in Policing Conference and meet with INL’s partners in justice and law enforcement.” Robinson then planned to visit the Holy See at Vatican City on March 9th and 10th:
Robinson wore a pin with the US and Ukrianian flag during the visit:
Robinson commented on the foriegn agent registration act in Georgia, stating that:
“This is a law based on Russia’s interests, not Georgia’s interests…we think it’s in Georgia’s interest to work more closely towards its Euro-Atlantic integration. This law does not do that."
Collage of protest photos:
