More than two years ago, thousands of Russians left for Georgia, fleeing
mobilization and repression. One of the anarchist diasporas emergedhere. Now many of its participants are active in protests against how
the results of the parliamentary elections were counted. "Public
Appeals" interviewed four participants about the relocates' contribution
to this resistance. ---- Photo: Maria Rakhmaninova ---- Protests in
December 2024 and spring 2023 ---- Sasha: In recent weeks, there has
been a clear radicalization of the protests and mobilization of
participants. Comparing the current situation with the events of last
year, significant changes can be seen. For example, the protests a year
ago, which were then accompanied by the use of Molotov cocktails, turned
out to be relatively local and short-lived. In those days, the
authorities quickly suppressed the activity of the protesters, using gas
and water cannons. Now the protests have become more intense, involving
more people and accompanied by barricades, fireworks, clashes with the
police. The scale of what is happening and the degree of radicalization
have noticeably increased.
David: There were broken windows and arson of parliamentary offices,
damage and arson of city infrastructure on Rustaveli, active use of
pyrotechnics against special forces. I think that we need to continue in
the same spirit - attacking money. The regime must understand that each
new day of protest will be expensive and will bring specific material
damage. The cops have also become much more brutal. Everyone has seen
footage of people being beaten to death by lying down and other
unmotivated violence. The number of arrests has also already exceeded
the figures of previous protests.
Zhenya: The protests in Georgia are becoming increasingly tense and
radical. If in the spring of 2023, protests against the law on foreign
agents were accompanied by mass rallies and brutal actions of the
police, then the current wave of protests is even more brutal. The use
of force by the authorities, including tear gas and batons, has drawn
sharp criticism from human rights activists and international
organizations. The stakes are higher than ever: for the protesters, it
is not only a question of protecting rights, but also of maintaining the
course for the country's European future.
Pasha: The injured 22-year-old protester, who is in a coma after being
shot, has become a symbol of a new wave of radicalization. Today's
protests are no longer limited to peaceful forms of expressing
discontent, and the level of tension in the country continues to grow.
The loss of visa-free travel is perceived as a loss of hope for a better
future. For young people, this means blocking the path to a decent life,
and for the older generation, the threat of losing their jobs associated
with Europe.
Participation of relocates
Sasha: Anti-fascist, anarchist and leftist movements play a role in the
protests. However, there is a division between local residents and
emigrants: so far, it has not been possible to establish stable ties and
joint actions between these groups. Among the local participants, there
are also representatives of right-wing movements, which adds an
additional level of complexity to the protests. Flags of the First
Republic and other symbols of right-wing movements are found alongside
white laces, which are often associated with right-wing views.
Pasha: In the 2023 protests, the left-wing relocators were well
organized and had useful experience in forming a support group for the
protest, some rushed to the barricades, which earned the respect of the
local bons. In the spring of 2024, the Georgians no longer needed
special help or experience, they prepared all the infrastructure
themselves, the leftists tried to make a samba band and medical groups,
but there were so many medical groups at those protests that there was
no need for them. Medical faculties came out in full force to provide
first aid.
David: On the first day, nine of the 107 detainees were 8 Russians and a
Belarusian, participation was active at the very beginning, but then, in
my opinion, it began to fade away.
Concerns of the participants
Zhenya: Their participation is limited due to fears of deportation. On
the other hand, the commitment of Russian emigrants causes mixed
feelings among Georgians, given the historical and political
contradictions. Gradually, mistrust gives way to recognition of their
contribution to the common cause.
Sasha: One of the main threats for them is the risk of losing the
opportunity to enter Georgia. Although there have been no cases of
deportation recorded so far, this prospect hangs over the participants
like a "sword of Damocles". In addition, some people prefer to refrain
from participating in the protests precisely because of concerns for
their legality and safety. At the same time, even those who actively
participate try not to advertise their activities. Even those who
participate do so cautiously, without the desire to take leading roles.
For many, a balance is important between supporting the protests and
maintaining their own status.
In addition, there is an understanding of the historical context of the
relationship between Russia and Sakartvelo, which adds complexity.
Emigrants often try not to intercept the summons, so that their actions
are not perceived as an imposition of will from outside. Relocates
against the Georgian Dream: Four Russian anarchists talk about the
protests in Tbilisi
More than two years ago, thousands of Russians left for Georgia, fleeing
mobilization and repression. One of the anarchist diasporas emerged
here. Now many of its participants are active in protests against how
the results of the parliamentary elections were counted. "Public
Appeals" interviewed four participants about the relocates' contribution
to this resistance. ---- Photo: Maria Rakhmaninova ---- Protests in
December 2024 and spring 2023 ---- Sasha: In recent weeks, there has
been a clear radicalization of the protests and mobilization of
participants. Comparing the current situation with the events of last
year, significant changes can be seen. For example, the protests a year
ago, which were then accompanied by the use of Molotov cocktails, turned
out to be relatively local and short-lived. In those days, the
authorities quickly suppressed the activity of the protesters, using gas
and water cannons. Now the protests have become more intense, involving
more people and accompanied by barricades, fireworks, clashes with the
police. The scale of what is happening and the degree of radicalization
have noticeably increased.
David: There were broken windows and arson of parliamentary offices,
damage and arson of city infrastructure on Rustaveli, active use of
pyrotechnics against special forces. I think that we need to continue in
the same spirit - attacking money. The regime must understand that each
new day of protest will be expensive and will bring specific material
damage. The cops have also become much more brutal. Everyone has seen
footage of people being beaten to death by lying down and other
unmotivated violence. The number of arrests has also already exceeded
the figures of previous protests.
Zhenya: The protests in Georgia are becoming increasingly tense and
radical. If in the spring of 2023, protests against the law on foreign
agents were accompanied by mass rallies and brutal actions of the
police, then the current wave of protests is even more brutal. The use
of force by the authorities, including tear gas and batons, has drawn
sharp criticism from human rights activists and international
organizations. The stakes are higher than ever: for the protesters, it
is not only a question of protecting rights, but also of maintaining the
course for the country's European future.
Pasha: The injured 22-year-old protester, who is in a coma after being
shot, has become a symbol of a new wave of radicalization. Today's
protests are no longer limited to peaceful forms of expressing
discontent, and the level of tension in the country continues to grow.
The loss of visa-free travel is perceived as a loss of hope for a better
future. For young people, this means blocking the path to a decent life,
and for the older generation, the threat of losing their jobs associated
with Europe.
Participation of relocates
Sasha: Anti-fascist, anarchist and leftist movements play a role in the
protests. However, there is a division between local residents and
emigrants: so far, it has not been possible to establish stable ties and
joint actions between these groups. Among the local participants, there
are also representatives of right-wing movements, which adds an
additional level of complexity to the protests. Flags of the First
Republic and other symbols of right-wing movements are found alongside
white laces, which are often associated with right-wing views.
Pasha: In the 2023 protests, the left-wing relocators were well
organized and had useful experience in forming a support group for the
protest, some rushed to the barricades, which earned the respect of the
local bons. In the spring of 2024, the Georgians no longer needed
special help or experience, they prepared all the infrastructure
themselves, the leftists tried to make a samba band and medical groups,
but there were so many medical groups at those protests that there was
no need for them. Medical faculties came out in full force to provide
first aid.
David: On the first day, nine of the 107 detainees were 8 Russians and a
Belarusian, participation was active at the very beginning, but then, in
my opinion, it began to fade away.
Concerns of the participants
Zhenya: Their participation is limited due to fears of deportation. On
the other hand, the commitment of Russian emigrants causes mixed
feelings among Georgians, given the historical and political
contradictions. Gradually, mistrust gives way to recognition of their
contribution to the common cause.
Sasha: One of the main threats for them is the risk of losing the
opportunity to enter Georgia. Although there have been no cases of
deportation recorded so far, this prospect hangs over the participants
like a "sword of Damocles". In addition, some people prefer to refrain
from participating in the protests precisely because of concerns for
their legality and safety. At the same time, even those who actively
participate try not to advertise their activities. Even those who
participate do so cautiously, without the desire to take leading roles.
For many, a balance is important between supporting the protests and
maintaining their own status.
In addition, there is an understanding of the historical context of the
relationship between Russia and Sakartvelo, which adds complexity.
Emigrants often try not to intercept the summons, so that their actions
are not perceived as an imposition of will from outside.
https://avtonom.org/news/relokanty-protiv-gruzinskoy-mechty-chetyre-rossiyskih-anarhista-rasskazali-o-protestah-v
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