Elections must be won, and the way to win them is through the collapse of Georgian Dream, and for that the path is the street – until the very end! – this is stated in a message from Elene Khoshtaria, leader of the Coalition for Change, sent from Rustavi Prison and published on her Facebook page.
As Khoshtaria writes, there are no real elections, therefore the end of the “regime” is only possible through protest. She also says she does not have a “magic wand” to name the exact date and hour of the regime’s end, but stresses that October 4 is one of the critical “turning points.”
Khoshtaria adds that a “peaceful revolution not only exists, it is an obligation.”
“There are no elections! They must be won, and the way to win is by dismantling Dream. And for that – the street! Until the end!
Throughout this year of struggle, in every critical moment, we all – activists, politicians (with few exceptions), prisoners, mothers, different groups and individuals – have always made the right choice. No one recognized the regime and its fake illegitimate initiatives – not Parliament, not the commission, not the courts, nor other special operations. Despite all the cynical predictions, protest did not stop – not at New Year, not at Easter, not because of fines, not because of thugs, not because of the arrest of politicians, not even in the hot days of August.
October 4 is another such critical turning point. Despite the weakness of a small part of the opposition, overall we have reached this day correctly. Now we must pass through it with dignity as well.
No participation in elections!
Of course, each person decides for themselves how to act, but let us remember that every decision carries responsibility. Look at the rules, the lack of observers, Dream’s attempt to claim ‘competitive elections,’ the arrested party leaders, the OSCE not coming, the beatings, or the so-called pre-election campaigns – it is impossible to call this an election. Ask yourselves these questions and remain true to yourselves. Dream will still write whatever result it wants, but your conscience will be clear if you do not go along with this farce.
Protest, gathering on the 4th – everyone in the streets! This is not just a slogan, this is a declaration of the illegitimacy of this government. This is the day when each citizen, by simply stepping outside, can create political reality. When we say ‘no to the Russian regime,’ October 4 will be the chance not only to say it, but to prove it with your presence – no to the Russian special operation! In this country, the only abuser is Georgian Dream. Our protest is firm, determined, peaceful, and powerful. I do not have a magic wand to tell you the exact date and time when the regime will end, but I can say with full responsibility that it will end through street protest, including the demonstration on the 4th. I will borrow the words of Nika Gvaramia, from a very good interview he gave from prison to Formula: a peaceful revolution not only exists, it is an obligation. It has been underway for 300 days and will inevitably end with the defeat of Dream and the Russians – if we do not give up. And we will not give up! Until the end!” – Khoshtaria writes.
Elene Khoshtaria: I don’t have a magic wand to tell you the exact date and time when the regime will end, but it will end through street protest, including the demonstration on October 4 – a peaceful revolution not only exists, it is an obligation
