21 May 2011, 15:30
About 10,000 people take part in opposition protests in Tbilisi
Today, the People's Forum, which unites several oppositional forces, has started its actions in the Georgian capital. The Freedom Square has housed about 10,000 people, who demand resignation of Saakashvili and improvement of living standards.
"We have a huge plant named 'Azot' (Nitrogen) in Rustavi; but they have dismissed nearly all the local staff; the city is choked by unemployment. People have no money and no hope to find a job," said Marina from Rustavi.
"We demand to remove Saakashvili and to hold fair elections. Let us first elect the Parliament, and then see who of the politicians shows him- or herself in the new Parliament - and then, we'll elect a new president ourselves," said David from Tbilisi.
"We believe that Georgia should continue orienting towards the West, but we should not spoil relations with our eastern neighbours, including Russia. Of course, we believe that we are closer to Western values, but why should we quarrel with the East for this reason?" said Ada, a pensioner from Western Georgia.
No violations of the law by demonstrators were registered.
Author: Beslan Kmuzov Source: CK correspondent
