Tbilisi Marks First Anniversary of ‘Gavrilov’s Night’

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Tbilisi marked the first anniversary of the 20 June 2019 violent dispersal by riot police of an opposition protest held outside the parliament building on the capital’s central Rustaveli Avenue. A year ago last weekend, thousands of protestors assembled spontaneously outside the Georgian parliament after a visiting Russian MP, Sergei Gavrilov, addressed it from the speaker’s chair. Photo story by Onnik J. Krikorian

Many of those protesting attempted to break into the parliament building that evening, and riot police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets in an operation that was widely considered to be disproportionate and indiscriminate. Hundreds were injured. Three months of daily protests followed what is now referred to as ‘Gavrilov’s Night’ and were an informal and early start to the October 2020 parliamentary elections.
Nevertheless, the government’s standing has significantly improved because of its handling of the Coronavirus pandemic. There have been just 908 confirmed cases and only 14 deaths.

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The anniversary protest was organised by the “Shame Movement.” The civic platform’s co-founder, Shota Dighmelashvili, was one those addressing the assembled crowd. A social media campaign played on the title of a popular US horror movie, telling the government “We remember what you did last Summer” in the days before the anniversary.
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There had been fears that the Coronavirus would limit attendance at the rally, but even with social distancing measures the turnout was impressive. Microphones were disinfected for each speaker, masks were available, and hand sanitiser dispensed from tables. People were also requested not to shout to often in order to limit the risk of the spread of COVID-19.
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Organisers had instructed those attending to wear masks, something that was largely followed. Stickers on the pavement featuring the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin were used to help demonstrators maintain social distancing. Many see the protests as a forum to voice their dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of relations with Russia.
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Organisers had instructed those attending to wear masks, something that was largely followed. Stickers on the pavement featuring the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin were used to help demonstrators maintain social distancing. Many see the protests as a forum to voice their dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of relations with Russia.
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Also speaking at the demonstration was Tbilisi Pride co-organiser Giorgi Tabgari. A year ago Tbilisi had also seen far-right and ultra-conservative groups set up ‘vigilante squads’ to prevent LGBT activists from staging the first ever public gay pride event. Other speakers included the former Georgian president, Giorgi Margvelashvili.
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Another speaker was Mako Gomuri, a young Georgian who was one of two people who lost an eye during the dispersal. She was just 19 at the time and is now learning to play drums. A big fan of post-punk, Gomuri also finds them a therapeutic release since the incident. Her drums were purchased by Georgian IDPs from Abkhazia that raised the money following the incident.
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Lasting two hours, the demonstration ended with the Georgian national anthem. The following day the Georgian parliament passed the first reading of constitutional amendments to reform the electoral system, allowing for more MPs to be elected under the proportional system. The ‘Shame Movement’ threatens further protests if the reform is not finally passed.