Tbilisi protesters use Ukrainian flag to "decorate" Christmas tree in display of solidarity
In Georgia's capital, the officials could not completely assemble the Christmas tree currently being set up on Rustaveli Avenue, close to the parliament building, the site of mass protests by Georgian Euromaidan activists.
The SOVA portal reported this.
Representatives of the TbilService Group company began installing the New Year tree on Rustaveli Avenue on Sunday night when there were no protestors near the parliament. However, the protesters returned on the evening of December 8.
The staff was unable to fully assemble the Christmas tree. Eventually, police set up a barrier near the tree. The top is adorned with fake tree branches, while the bottom is covered in the protesters' "decorations."
The Christmas tree frame is hung with the flags of Georgia, the EU, Ukraine, and the USA, as well as photographs of Georgian media workers who were injured during the crackdown on protests or who were targeted by security forces or "Titushky" [Titushky were hired agents in Ukraine who assisted the Ukrainian security services during the time of Viktor Yanukovych's government. They would often disguise themselves as rowdy street youth in athletic attire to cause trouble at pro-European and anti-Yanukovych demonstrations to provoke violence and have protesters arrested. The ruling party of Georgia, known for its friendly relationship with Russia, has frequently employed Titushky against their political opponents, drawing comparisons to the actions of Yanukovych's administration in Ukraine – ed.]
Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze reiterated that the Christmas tree will be brought into an appropriate form. The Secretary General of the Georgian Dream party reported that the New Year slogan for 2024 of the Georgian capital will be the words:
"Tbilisi is a city full of victories."
He explained that the slogan's idea was due to sports victories—and not only—that united Georgian society, giving "great joy."
Photo: MOSE
It's worth mentioning that, during the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine, the authorities also started putting up a Christmas tree on Independence Square, where protesters were gathering. However, the installation had to be halted due to Euromaidan events.
On the night of November 30, 2013, Berkut special forces received an order to disperse protesters demanding the suspension of preparations to sign the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union.
Then, security forces beat dozens of peaceful protestors, mostly students. The Ukrainian authorities explained the dispersal by the need to install a Christmas tree.
The unfinished frame of the Christmas tree stood until August 2014 and became a symbol of the protests. The Christmas tree was called a "yolka" because of a slur by then-President Viktor Yanukovych.
It should be mentioned that the protests in Tbilisi did not experience any crackdowns the night before. Instead of being targeted by the police, the protestors were now facing attacks from "Titushky" members. A group of several dozen individuals wearing black clothing and masks assaulted people near Rustaveli Avenue.
For reference:
On October 26, Georgia held elections for the national parliament. According to the results, the Georgian Dream party, which was still in power, won. However, the day before, the opposition Georgian political forces announced that they would not recognize the results of the elections in the country.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili and the opposition also did not recognize the results.
On November 28, mass protests began in several cities in Georgia, including Tbilisi, after the prime minister announced that the government was abandoning negotiations on the country's accession to the EU by 2028.
However, the security forces began to disperse the protests in Tbilisi, including using smoke bombs, tear gas, and water cannons. Dozens of activists were injured.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemned the violent dispersal of the protests in Georgia.
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