Holding a protest on a sidewalk is not prohibited - unless the number of participants is insufficient and a group splits off from the rally and blocks the road. In such a case, the police will warn the entire protest that “the rally has taken on an unlawful character; return to the legal framework, and if you do not, appropriate measures will be taken,” said Georgian Dream MP Tengiz Sharmanashvili while speaking to journalists about the planned amendments to the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations.

According to him, artificial barriers should not be created on sidewalks that hinder pedestrian movement.

“Protests on sidewalks are not banned. You should not artificially block pedestrian movement on a sidewalk if your numbers do not require it. Recently there was a rally where a significant number of people gathered - did they face any problems? No.

If the number is insufficient and a group splits off and blocks the road, the police will warn the entire protest: your rally has become unlawful, return to the legal framework, and if you do not, appropriate measures will be taken. If they still do not comply, what happens next is also written in the law,” Sharmanashvili said.

When asked whether tightening the law is an acknowledgment by the government that protests exist in the country, Sharmanashvili responded that it is a realistic acknowledgment that there is a protest of 300 people.

“This is the real acknowledgment that there is a protest of 300 people in the country, who are imposing their actions on all of Georgia, hindering citizens’ movement when there is no need - we acknowledge this.

The protest of 300 people did not personally hinder me, but 300 people are not authorized to spin the country around according to their agenda and infringe on others’ rights as they please. If they gain broader support and enough people gather so that blocking the road becomes necessary, the police will facilitate it. But if they artificially try to do it and restrict others’ rights simply because they feel like it at that moment, then they will be warned, given a reasonable time and deadline - and if they resist and continue this destructive and unlawful action, then what will happen is defined by the law and the Constitution,” Sharmanashvili stated.

For reference, the amendments establish an obligation for the Ministry of Internal Affairs to issue prior warnings when a protest or assembly is held in areas intended for pedestrian movement. Additionally, similar to road closures for traffic, it will be prohibited to artificially block pedestrian pathways unless the number of protesters requires it. It will also be prohibited to block pedestrian areas with vehicles, various structures, or objects.