Georgia

Georgia's Youth Dominates Pro-Europe Street Protests

Published

2 years ago

April 20, 2024

Georgia's Youth Dominates Pro-Europe Street Protests

Georgian youths have dominated a week of street protests against plans for a “foreign influence” law and are increasingly vocal about affinity for the European Union and Western values.

For the fifth straight night Friday, hundreds of young protesters marched in the capital Tbilisi to make their voices heard.

After one speaker asked them through a loudspeaker “Where are we heading?” they waved EU flags and set off a chorus of vuvuzelas, chanting “To Europe!”

Georgia has been rocked by street protests since Monday against the ruling Georgian Dream party’s plan to a “foreign influence” law resembling Russian legislation used to silence dissent.

The initiative has sparked outrage in Georgia and concern in the West, with Brussels warning it would undermine the country’s long-standing bid for EU membership.

Thousands rallied outside parliament against the bill this week, and fresh mass protests are planned for early May, when lawmakers give the bill its second reading.

And out of these protests, a youth movement has emerged that is passionately pro-European and uncompromising when it comes to defending Georgia’s fragile democracy.

– ‘Who else but us?’ –

Politicians and civil activists are deliberating on how to force authorities to abandon the bill.

“We will not back down until the government scraps that Russian law,” said one 15-year-old Lika Naskidashvili.

“Check us out, is there any power that could stop us?” the teen protestor said.

Her friend Giorgi Toroshelidze — with the EU flag painted on his forehead — nodded, saying: “Who else but us? This is about our future, it’s about Georgia’s fate!

Contemporary Georgian Artist’s Links with Ukraine Only Strengthened by War

Much of Avtandil Gurgenidze’s art reflects the affection he has had for Ukraine and its people since his first visit almost 20 years ago.

“Not only will we make them repeal this law, we won’t tolerate a pro-Russian government ruling in Georgia any longer.”

A former Soviet republic, Georgia has for years sought to deepen relations with the West.

Opinion polls suggest 80 percent of the population backs EU and NATO membership — that twin aspiration is even enshrined in the country’s constitution.

But the current ruling party, Georgian Dream, is accused of trying to steer the Black Sea nation toward closer ties with Russia.

The party was forced to drop a similar bill last year, following mass protests that saw police use water cannon and tear gas against demonstrators.

But in a surprise move ahead of October’s crucial parliamentary elections, seen as a key democratic test for Georgia, the party re-introduced the bill. They argued it would help boost transparency in the foreign funding of NGOs.

Protester Levan Abramia, 16, was unconvinced.

“Who falls for their fake discourses? Our government is just doing that at Russia’s bidding, they are (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s puppets.

“But where are we heading?” he shouted, and the crowd exploded: “To Europe!”

Drivers of passing cars sounded their horns.

– ‘Concerning development’ –

The EU granted Georgia official candidate status in December.

But Tbilisi has to reform its judicial and electoral systems, reduce political polarization, improve press freedom and curtail the power of oligarchs if it wants to make further progress, Brussels warned.

Tbilisi has to show tangible progress on those demands by December if membership talks are to be formally launched.

But after parliament approved the controversial bill’s first reading on Wednesday –- in a vote boycotted by opposition parties — Brussels issued a clear warning.

Wednesday’s vote was a “very concerning development”, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and enlargement commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said in a joint statement.

“Final adoption of this legislation would negatively impact Georgia’s progress on its EU path,” they said, adding: “This law is not in line with EU core norms and values.”

Once seen as leading the democratic transformation of ex-Soviet countries, Georgia has in recent years been criticized for perceived democratic backsliding.

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Georgia

South Georgia honors Officer Caleb Abney

Published

34 minutes ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

South Georgia honors Officer Caleb Abney

VALDOSTA Ga. (WALB) – Family, friends, and law enforcement agencies from across South Georgia gathered at Martin Stadium to remember Officer Caleb Abney.

First responders from across the region stood alongside Abney’s family as Lowndes County opened the stadium for the service.

Lowndes County Board member Chris Buescher said community attendance was important.

“Obviously, these first responders give their all to our community. It is important to come out and support them. We are all heartbroken as a community as one Lowndes family,” Buescher said.

South Georgia honors Officer Caleb Abney(WALB NEWS 10)

Abney’s ties to the community

Buescher noted Abney’s deep roots in Lowndes County, describing his connection to the area beyond his role in law enforcement.

“Caleb was not only a first responder in terms of the fire department, a police officer. He was a former Lowndes County High graduate. He was a former Georgia Bridgeman. So he marched on this very field that these last respects were paid to. So his mom and dad were big volunteers within the school system. So it is important to recognize the sacrifices these first responders make for all of us in the community,” Buescher said.

Procession travels through Lowndes County

The procession exited Lowndes High School and traveled through several roadways across the area. Family members, guests, and first responders made their way to Fellowship Baptist Church.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

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Georgia

Man accused of raping University of Georgia student, police say

Published

13 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Man accused of raping University of Georgia student, police say

ATHENS, Ga. – A 19-year-old is facing assault-related charges after police said he raped a University of Georgia student early Saturday morning while she was walking home.

What we know:

Tydarius Wingfield of Athens allegedly approached the student in the area of 400 North Thomas Street just before 1:40 a.m. and asked to walk her home.

Wingfield and the victim did not know each other.

Wingfield then forced the woman behind a building where he sexually assaulted her, police said.

Investigators used the Real Time Crime Center’s camera system to see where the assault happened and track the victim and Wingfield’s movements. Officers continued tracking Wingfield until his arrest and positively identified him using the RTCC technology.

He is charged with rape, kidnapping, aggravated sexual battery and battery.

An investigation is ongoing.

What we don’t know:

It is unclear whether the victim was taken to the hospital after being attacked.

What you can do:

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Detective Burgamy at Charles.Burgamy@accgov.com or 762-400-7173.

The Source: Information in this report comes from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

Athens-Clarke CountyUniversity of GeorgiaNewsCrime and Public Safety

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Georgia

Georgia’s Iranian community reacts to death of Ayatollah Khamenei

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Georgia’s Iranian community reacts to death of Ayatollah Khamenei

ATLANTA – As conflict intensifies between the United States, Israel and Iran, reactions are pouring in across the Atlanta metro area after President Donald Trump confirmed the death of Iran’s supreme leader.

The president confirmed on Truth Social that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a joint strike led by the U.S. and Israel.

What they’re saying:

“I have been waiting to hear this news for the last 20 years,” said Dr. Sasan Tavassoli, an Atlanta-based pastor born in Iran.

“Ayatollah Khamenei has been responsible for the killing of tens of thousands of Iranians over the last three decades. He has been a very evil dictator and a very oppressive tyrant.”

Other local Iranians, like Shohreh Mir, expressed a long-standing desire for internal change rather than outside intervention.

“This was an imposed war,” Mir said. “We still very much would like for Iranian people to change the regime by themselves.”

What’s next:

Tavassoli said the Ayatollah’s death now creates a new issue.

“Ayatollah Khamenei never invested in raising a succession after himself,” he said, “so the crisis of the Iranian revolution and the Iranian regime is there is no legitimate successor.”

While the long-term duration of the conflict remains unknown, Iran has already begun launching retaliatory strikes following the attack.

“This is a huge development for day one, but the war is not over,” Tavassoli noted. “There are still many ways that things can become even more bloody and destructive in the coming days and weeks.”

The Source: Information in this article came from FOX 5’s Rey Llerena speaking with Iranian Americans across Georgia.

IranDonald J. TrumpNewsPolitics

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