Georgia
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!
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“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.
Georgia
Passover ad featuring challah sparks backlash for Georgia Senate candidate | The Jerusalem Post
A Georgia Democratic candidate for the state Senate came under ridicule over the weekend after a Passover ad published in the Atlanta Jewish Times reportedly featured challah, a leavened bread traditionally avoided during the holiday. The controversy spread on Saturday after Atlanta Journal-Constitution political reporter Greg Bluestein posted about the ad on X.
Nathalie Kanani is running for Georgia State Senate District 14, and has publicly described herself as a candidate focused on affordability, healthcare, housing, education, and workers’ issues. In a LinkedIn post published about a month ago, she said she had officially qualified to run for the seat.
The issue appears to have stemmed from a holiday greeting in the Atlanta Jewish Times Passover edition, which was published this past week and included a wide range of Passover-themed community content and messages.
Bluestein wrote on X that a Georgia Senate candidate’s Passover ad in that week’s Atlanta Jewish Times “features challah,” adding, “It’s the thought that counts, I guess.” His post helped push the item into broader political and Jewish social media circles.
The mockery built quickly. Raw Story, which aggregated the reaction, quoted conservative commentator Jonah Goldberg joking that the image was like serving a “Yom Kippur BLT sandwich,” while progressive commentator Molly Jong-Fast called it “incredible” and added that “Veep was a documentary.” The same report also cited Georgia state Rep. Esther Panitch criticizing the mistake and noting that, as the only Jewish member of the Georgia General Assembly, she was available for “holiday consults.”
During Passover, Jews avoid hametz (leavened grain products), and bread is among the clearest examples of foods excluded from the holiday. Matzah, the flat unleavened bread eaten during Passover, is one of the most recognizable symbols of the festival.
That made challah, a braided bread commonly associated with Shabbat and other Jewish occasions, an especially awkward choice for a Passover greeting. For many Jewish readers, it signaled a basic misunderstanding of one of Judaism’s best-known observances.
As of Sunday, Kanani’s campaign had not issued any publicly visible response in the sources reviewed for this report.
Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs Earn Commitment From 2027 Offensive Lineman Abram Eisenhower
The Georgia Bulldogs have added another prospect to their 2027 recruiting class. Here are the details.
The Georgia Bulldogs are gearing up for their 2026 college football season and are looking to once again reach the College Football Playoff. But while the 2026 season is right around the corner, the Dawgs have already begun diligently working on their 2027 recruiting class.
Georgia’s latest efforts appear to have paid off, as they have just added another commitment to their class. According to reports, offensive lineman Abram Eisenhower has announced his commitment to the Bulldogs and will be joining their 2027 recruiting class.
Eisenhower was heavily pursued by other notable Power Four schools such as, Auburn, South Carolina, and Florida State. But the offensive lineman ultimately chose to continue his athletic career in Athens with the Georgia Bulldogs.
According to 247 Sports, Eisenhower stands at approximately 6-foot-5 and weighs just under 300 pounds. His athletic abilities could provide a massive contribution to the Dawgs once he arrives on campus.
What Abram Eisenhower Brings to the Georgia Bulldogs Offensive Line
Since taking over as Georgia’s head coach in 2026, Kirby Smart and his staff have always made a strong emphasis on possessing an elite offensive line. Adding prospects such as Eisenhower to the team’s future rosters will ensure that the Bulldogs remain dominant within both sides of the lines of scrimmage.
Smart has also placed a strong emphasis on recruiting players within the state of Georgia. Einsenhower himself is a Valdosta, Georgia native. Making him an excellent target for the Bulldogs’ class.
As the offseason continues and the Bulldogs’ 2026 regular season begins, Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs staff will continue to diligently recruit highly touted prospects in hopes of landing another top-5 recruiting class.
Georgia Bulldogs 2027 Commits
- Donte Wright, CB
- Kelsey Adams, OL
- Noah Parker, RB
- Aden Starling, WR
- Kemon Spell, RB
- Jerry Outhouse Jr., CB
- Ty Johnson, OL
- Abram Eisenhower, OL
Georgia
Georgia and Katie Abrahamson-Henderson Mutually Agree to Part Ways – University of Georgia Athletics
ATHENS, Ga. — The University of Georgia and women’s basketball head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson have mutually agreed to part ways, the UGA Athletic Association announced Saturday.
Abrahamson-Henderson compiled a 69-59 overall record with a pair of NCAA tournament appearances during her four seasons as Georgia’s head coach.
“We would like to thank Coach ABE for her leadership and wish her well moving forward,” J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks said. “We are committed to building on the proud tradition of Lady Bulldog basketball and will continue to support our program with the necessary resources for future success. We have an outstanding group of alumni and a dedicated fan base. Our search for a new head coach will focus on someone who will carry on this legacy and connect with our student-athletes, alumni and supporters in an impactful way.”
Georgia’s search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
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