Opposition Alliance Launches National Mobilization Campaign

The Opposition Alliance is launching a national mobilization campaign that will continue for two months, culminating symbolically on May 26, when a “large-scale mass rally will be held” in Tbilisi on Georgia’s Independence Day.

This is stated in a declaration by the Opposition Alliance, which was presented to the public during a briefing by one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, Zurab Girchi Japaridze.

“We would like to present the address of the Opposition Alliance.
Thirty-five years ago, on this very day, March 31, citizens of Georgia, throughout the entire territory of the country, including Abkhazia and Samachablo, expressed their unwavering will in a referendum to restore Georgia’s independence — the independence that had first been declared on May 26, 1918.

Both of these dates — March 31 and May 26 — are among the most important in the history of independent Georgia. Both are tied to the most significant challenge facing the Georgian nation — the issue of state independence. We believe that Georgia is once again facing an identical challenge today.

That is precisely why today, on March 31, the Opposition Alliance declares that we are launching a joint national mobilization campaign.

This is an initiative of the Opposition Alliance, but we want to make it clear from the outset — this is not a campaign of these nine parties alone, nor of any single political group. This is a cause in which everyone must take part.

Our goals are very simple:

First — we must increase direct, face-to-face communication with citizens. We must make our voices heard by our citizens — wherever they are.

Second — we must neutralize the regime’s propaganda. Because today, the two main weapons this regime possesses are lies and fear.

Third — the anger, protest, and desire for change that have existed in society for years must be transformed into real political action.

Fourth — we must defeat the fear that this regime has deliberately cultivated over the years.

And finally — we must increase the number of people involved in the protest, because change does not happen through words alone — change happens when many people stand together. Exactly as happened 35 years ago, during the March 31 referendum.

This campaign will continue for two months, and its symbolic culmination will be a large, mass rally planned in Tbilisi on May 26, Georgia’s Independence Day.

For us, for this cause, and for victory, it is very important that other political and civic groups, as well as active citizens, also join this process.

We would like to thank everyone who is currently imprisoned by the regime for their struggle; everyone who was imprisoned and has since been released; everyone who today stands at risk of losing their freedom; everyone who was tortured, poisoned, or physically assaulted; everyone who lost their job, whose life was destroyed.

Everyone who stands every day on Rustaveli Avenue, in Batumi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Gori, Chkhorotsku, and in other cities. Everyone who takes part in the Saturday marches in Tbilisi.

It is an honor for us to be in this struggle alongside you. We do not promise anyone an easy path. We do not promise miracles. But one thing we know for certain:

If we do not act, nothing will change. If we do act, changing the regime will be only a matter of time and cost. Therefore, we call on everyone to actively engage in this campaign, and in two months’ time, on May 26, let us all gather once again in Tbilisi,” Japaridze said.