Thousands rally in Georgia after violent police crackdown on pro-EU protesters

We are not going to give in, we are not going to give up. But I think the international community should think how to support people who really believe in European values."

Speaking to Reuters with her arm held up by a sling, she said

Georgian Dream's self-proclaimed government is doing everything it can to destroy Georgia's chances of joining the EU,

said one demonstrator, 39-year-old schoolteacher Laura Kekelidze

They know their authoritarian rule is incompatible with EU membership,

she told AFP

First, they take away [your] freedom, then they start beating you, prosperity vanishes next, and then Russia consumes you."

He explained

Today we have only one job - the service of the country, so that tomorrow we will have a country, and that our children will have a future,

Nika Melia, another Coalition for Change leader, wrote on Facebook

Paweł HerczyńskieU envoy

We deplore that violence has been used against peaceful protesters,

EU envoy Pawel Herczynski said

What has happened yesterday clearly goes against the policy of the previous government of Georgia, actually all previous governments of Georgia, it also goes against the will of the vast majority of the population of Georgia,

he said

From the legal point of view, a head of government approved by an illegitimate parliament is equally illegitimate."

One author of Georgia's constitution, Vakhtang Khmaladze, said

We have decided not to bring up the issue of joining the European Union on the agenda until the end of 2028."

Accusing the European Parliament of "blackmail," Kobakhidze said

With democratic state institutions no more, Georgia's statehood faces an existential crisis,

he told AFP

Georgian Dream didn't win the elections, it staged a coup. There is no legitimate parliament or government in Georgia,

said 20-year-old demonstrator Shota Sabashvili

By 2028, Georgia will be more prepared than any other candidate country to open accession talks with Brussels and become a member state in 2030."

But he pledged to continue implementing reforms, saying

To de-escalate the situation, the police have employed measures permitted by law, including the use of special means,

it said of the use of tear gas

Today, this non-existent and illegitimate government declared war on its own people,

she added, calling herself the country's "sole legitimate representative."

Today marks a significant point, or rather, the conclusion of the constitutional coup that has been unfolding for several weeks,

she told a news conference alongside opposition leaders

Our goal is to achieve EU membership by 2030,

he said

Because on this path, there is no Georgian statehood, no independence, and no future—except in Russia,

she said in a televised address

The ill-wishers of our country have turned the European Parliament into a blunt weapon of blackmail against Georgia, which is a great disgrace for the European Union,

he said

Salome Zourabichvilipresident

This country is returning to Russia, which we barely got rid of,

Zourabichvili said in a televized briefing

Do you serve Russia or Georgia? To whom are you sworn?”

Addressing riot police, she asked rhetorically ... while knocking on their shields