**Georgians Take to the Streets in Protest Against Russian-Backed Elections**
In a show of defiance against Russia’s influence in their country, thousands of Georgians are taking part in a protest march through Tbilisi. The demonstration, which began near the city’s main university building, is making its way towards the Parliament building as protesters voice their opposition to the local self-government elections scheduled for October 4.
The crowd is diverse, with representatives from opposition political parties and non-governmental organizations joining citizens in their demand for change. Banners bearing slogans such as “Freedom to the regime’s prisoners” and “Dream, your rule is called a crime, leave!” reflect the protesters’ frustration with the current state of affairs. At the heart of their discontent lies a deep-seated mistrust of the elections themselves, which they see as a threat to Georgia’s democratic processes.
**A Statement from the Georgian Public Assembly**
Near the protest site, members of the Georgian Public Assembly issued a statement condemning the upcoming “elections” as illegitimate. The assembly’s representatives have aligned themselves with eight opposition parties that are refusing to participate in what they consider a sham process. According to them, the elections undermine the very fabric of Georgia’s democracy and cannot be considered legitimate.
This stance is not surprising, given Russia’s history of interfering in neighboring countries’ internal affairs. The fact that these “elections” have been scheduled by the ruling regime has only added fuel to the protesters’ fire. As they march towards Parliament, their voices demand change – a call for freedom from what many see as a corrupt and undemocratic system.
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