Several hundred citizens gathered in Deda Ena Park in Tbilisi on May 24 to protest against the May 17 incident on Rustaveli Avenue involving church representatives and their supporters against a planned demonstration to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
The gathering of protesters included public celebrities such as Guga Kotetishvili, Ketato, Marina Chitashvili, Irakli Deisadze, David Paitchadze, Natia Koberidze and Gia Nodia.
The protesters brought banners saying “Theocracy is not Democracy”, “Do Not Beat Us in the Name of God”, “I Do Not Wish to be Ruled by Church”, “Say No to Darkness”, “Reign of Violent Priests Must Stop”, “Constitution Reigns”, “No to Religious Nationalism”. They also displayed cartoon sketches about church servants. Participants of the demonstration said there was a risk of theocracy being established in Georgia, which they said would endanger democracy.

By Elene Tsintsadze, Nino Chania

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