Today, more than ever, it is essential that we all go out to Rustaveli together. Let us stand on Rustaveli because Rustaveli must be defended, stated Georgia’s fifth President, Salome Zurabishvili, in response to the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ statement that any gatherings in the coming days will be considered a continuation of yesterday’s attempt, and measures will be taken to prevent threats to public order and security.

Zurabishvili called on citizens to go out to Rustaveli and continue the peaceful protest.

“The regime, today more than ever, wants to crush the Rustaveli protest, which is why the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ statement that the rallies are an echo of yesterday’s protest is a lie. This will not sway or scare us. Therefore, today, more than ever, it is essential that we all go out to Rustaveli together. Let us stand on Rustaveli because Rustaveli must be defended. The protest, which has lasted over 300 days, where we defended the Constitution and the European future, will not shift to any unconstitutional actions. You cannot deceive us or push us into a different mode; we are a peaceful protest in Georgia’s history. We must defend Rustaveli. It is the guarantee that this regime will collapse; Rustaveli is the guarantee that this regime will ultimately fall. Rustaveli is the guarantee that the regime’s external isolation will continue. Rustaveli is the guarantee that we believe in each other and stand in solidarity with one another, and Rustaveli is the guarantee that tomorrow’s future is ours. The day will come for elections, true and fair parliamentary elections, where we will truly make a choice. Today is a day of defense. I call on everyone to come out together and continue this peaceful protest for as long as necessary, until the end,” stated Salome Zurabishvili.