“If we move off the sidewalk, that means that after that, in any case, I can bet that it will be social networks next. In other words, they push you from the street onto the sidewalk, from the sidewalk they push you into your home, and from home you speak only on social networks—and then they will push you out of social networks as well, which means censorship will be imposed on social networks,” said Zurab Japaridze, leader of the “Coalition for Change,” speaking to journalists.

Japaridze joined the protest on Rustaveli Avenue after seven months in prison.

According to him, at this moment protest is the only public demonstration that people do not accept the situation in the country.

“Protest is, of course, very important—just as it was before I was arrested. Protest, at this moment, is the only public demonstration that the citizens of this country do not accept the dictatorship imposed in this country. It is a daily demonstration that we do not accept what is happening here, and therefore continuing it is a matter of principle. We can build many other things on top of this, come up with new ideas, do other things, but this is the absolute minimum that must be done, and many people must be involved in it.

Bidzina Ivanishvili knows very well that the strength of the Georgian people will drive him away.

How effective the laws they introduced will be depends on how much they manage to get away with. We were blocking the street, and they told us not to block it and to move up; we moved up, and now they are telling us to move away from here. In the end, if we move off the sidewalk, that means that after that, inevitably, it will be social networks. They pushed us from the street onto the sidewalk, from the sidewalk into our homes, and from home you speak only on social networks—and then they will push us out of social networks too, which means censorship will be imposed on social networks. We already have people who have been arrested for posts and comments,” Japaridze said.

Asked what he means by unity and coordination, Japaridze replied that democratic forces must unite and people must feel that there is an alternative force standing together.

“If there can be any sign that democratic forces are united on this side, we must meet all those signs—they are already few in number. Much more is needed: people must genuinely feel that there is an alternative force here, one that is truly united, truly cohesive, and truly fighting.

An agreement on a common strategy of struggle, an agreement even on a joint list, an agreement on a vision—which is the Georgian Charter—and an agreement on a common candidate for prime minister.

The role of every person who is in opposition today is important. Salome Zurabishvili has important contacts abroad and knows better than many of us how to speak to Europeans,” Zurab Japaridze said.