For 50 consecutive days, Georgia has witnessed large-scale, pro-European protests accompanied by attacks against media and journalists

As the protests still go strong, we reached out to our community of democracy tech alumni in Georgia to understand what is happening on the ground, how the protests have shaped the lives of ordinary Georgians and how can the international community help and support Georgians in their fight for freedom and democracy.

Our democracy tech fellow, co-founder & CEO of VINICI Ana Toklikishvili brings us a firsthand report from the ground.

On January 15, Georgia witnessed the largest strike in its history—a strike unlike any other. Tens of thousands of pro-European citizens employed across sectors and gig workers left their workplaces and took to the streets, carrying banners that read “Georgia on Strike,” alongside Georgian and European flags. Their demands: free and fair elections and the release of political prisoners.

Tens of thousands of pro-European citizens employed across sectors and gig workers left their workplaces and took to the streets, carrying banners that read “Georgia on Strike,” alongside Georgian and European flags. Their demands: free and fair elections and the release of political prisoners.

Strikes are uncommon in Georgia, despite widespread dissatisfaction with working conditions. However, this was not a traditional labor strike advocating for workers' rights. It was a bold act of protest by employed citizens against the Georgian Dream regime, reflecting one of the many ways people are expressing their resistance today.

For 50 consecutive days, Georgia has witnessed large-scale, pro-European protests that began after the ruling party, “Georgian Dream,” announced a suspension of negotiations regarding the country’s EU membership. These demonstrations have been accompanied by numerous reports of violence, particularly against media personnel and journalists. Protesters and media representatives have faced physical attacks, confiscation of equipment, and detentions, with law enforcement at times acting aggressively, resulting in severe injuries and hospitalizations.

Over 400 civil activists have been detained, hundreds severely beaten by the riot police and tortured in pre-detention. More than 90 media representatives have sustained physical injuries, 20 incidents of equipment confiscation have been documented, and 10 journalists have been detained on administrative charges until January 11. A significant escalation occurred when Mzia Amaglobeli, founder of the independent online outlets “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti,” was detained on January 11, twice in Batumi during pro-European protests. Initially detained for an administrative offense—placing a protest banner sticker on a wall—she was later accused of criminal charges for allegedly slapping a police officer outside the police station during an altercation between the media manager and the police officer. The court’s decision to deny bail and place her in pretrial detention marks an unprecedented moment in Georgia’s democratic history, drawing comparisons to authoritarian practices seen in Russia.

Mzia’s detention has sparked outrage and solidarity campaigns among colleagues, civil activists, and rights defenders. On January 14, independent TV stations across Georgia paused broadcasting, and online media paused operations and displayed solidarity banners in her support. Citizens, media outlets, and organizations are united under the #FreeMzia campaign, demanding her release and calling attention to the increasing suppression of free media in the country.

The protests in Georgia have fundamentally transformed the routines and lifestyles of its citizens, becoming a daily responsibility rather than a temporary disruption

For 50 days, Georgians have woken up each morning with a shared purpose: to check protest schedules, plan their day around court hearings for detained protesters, and participate in marches. The protests have woven themselves into daily life, as essential as family duties or work responsibilities.

Throughout the day, various groups organize thematic marches—mothers, fathers, and children, architects, marketers, actors, and other social and professional communities—ensuring representation and inclusivity. These marches, scattered across cities, converge each evening on Rustaveli Avenue in front of the Parliament.

There is no need for formal calls to action; individuals hear an internal voice and feel an intrinsic sense of duty to participate, knowing that their collective presence matters. Families often share responsibilities to make participation possible. For instance, one parent may attend protests while the other stays with the children, alternating roles daily.

While the protests have instilled a profound sense of civil responsibility, they have also taken an emotional toll. People experience moments of distress, frustration, and exhaustion. However, witnessing acts of solidarity and bravery within the movement serves as a source of strength and determination.

Even traditional celebrations like New Year’s and Christmas have been redefined. This year, instead of celebrating at home, tens of thousands of protesters gathered on Rustaveli Avenue, marking the New Year together as an extended family. Demonstrators brought snacks and drinks from home to create a symbolic “family table” that stretched over a kilometer. This act of unity highlighted the sacrifices citizens are making to fight for justice and democracy. The protests have become more than a political movement—they represent a collective commitment to a shared future, despite the emotional and physical challenges involved.

Supporting civil society organizations and independent media in Georgia requires focused international assistance through core, unrestricted funding rather than just project-based support

These organizations need operational stability to maintain their watchdog functions and independence during democratic backsliding. Direct funding for basic operations—including staff salaries, office costs, and technical equipment—would allow them to maintain essential activities without depending solely on project grants.

For media organizations, operational support is crucial for maintaining editorial independence and critical coverage, including funding for investigative journalism and technical infrastructure. Supporting regional media outlets and CSOs outside Tbilisi is vital for ensuring democratic processes extend beyond the capital, building stronger grassroots engagement nationwide.

The international community should provide long-term, sustainable funding mechanisms allowing organizations to plan strategically rather than struggle with short-term survival, including multi-year core funding commitments and capacity-building support to maintain civic spaces and independent voices.

A continuing political impasse

According to Rikard Jozwiak, Europe Editor at RFE/R, the critical opinion of experts suggests a period of continued stagnation in Georgia's democratic development under the rule of Georgian Dream and Russia’s influence. Georgia's EU accession process will likely remain frozen—officially a candidate but with no real progress toward membership. The lack of EU consensus on stronger measures and the unlikely prospect of rerunning the controversial October 2024 elections indicate a continuing political?impasse.

International pressure appears to be crucial, but it needs to be effective rather than purely symbolic

The current approach of symbolic measures, like suspending diplomatic passport privileges while leaving loopholes open, has proven ineffective. As evidenced by Georgian Dream officials mocking these restrictions, such half-measures may actually undermine the EU's credibility rather than create meaningful pressure for change.

There's a notable contrast between U.S. and EU approaches, with the U.S. taking more decisive action through individual sanctions while the EU opts for more symbolic measures. The EU's attempt to balance punitive measures against officials while maintaining benefits for ordinary citizens exemplifies the complex nature of international engagement with Georgia's democratic challenges.

For instance, the EU has only taken a limited step by suspending visa-free travel for diplomatic and service passport holders while maintaining it for ordinary Georgian citizens. This means that while officials can no longer use their diplomatic passports for visa-free travel, they have not been banned from entering the Schengen zone entirely.

According to the EU intergration expert Vano Chkhikvadze, this measure is largely symbolic because most officials can still use their ordinary passports to travel visa-free to EU and Schengen countries, a privilege granted to all Georgian citizens since 2017.

For restrictions to be effective, the EU would need to take additional steps, specifically: "gather personal data on diplomatic passport holders and compile a list of individuals to restrict from entering the EU and Schengen zone—even with ordinary passports." However, this stronger measure has not been implemented yet. This is why Georgian Dream officials have "mocked the sanctions," as they can easily circumvent the current restrictions by using their ordinary passports.

Here is how you can support Georgia today

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