Fireworks set off by anti-government protesters detonate close to police forces during the sixth consecutive day of mass demonstrations against the government's decision to delay European Union accession talks until 2028, in central Tbilisi on December 3, 2024. — AFP
In the midst of a large-scale protest in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, a demonstrator lifted a firework adorned with Christmas motifs over his shoulder, aimed, and fired, sending a shower of colorful sparks towards the riot police. For nearly a week, pro-EU protesters in the Caucasus nation have been taking to the streets nightly, outraged by the government's decision to postpone EU membership talks, accusing the ruling party of attempting to bring Tbilisi back under Moscow's influence. While most protesters are peaceful, a faction of the crowd, young and enraged, has been using colorful pyrotechnics.
The governing Georgian Dream party has already faced multiple waves of protests this year, but the crisis has escalated since a disputed October election that the opposition claims was rigged. One protester, who identified himself as Dato and wore a mask, defended the use of pyrotechnics against law enforcement, stating, "It's the most friendly way to use against police because the other methods are much more violent." Riot police have responded with water cannons and tear gas. Dato, with only his eyes visible, argued that protesters were justified in resorting to violence. Approximately 300 people have been detained so far in the clashes.
Dato, who has been protesting against Georgian Dream for four years, said, "We have tried peaceful protests for years, it has zero effect." The opposition and Western countries have condemned Tbilisi for what they describe as police brutality. Videos of violent arrests have further fueled the crowds. Georgia's interior ministry reported that around 150 officers had been injured in the protests. As the protests intensified this week, a video of a man using a homemade launcher to shoot fireworks went viral on social media.
Teen protester Liza, 18, also defended the violence, showing a photo on her phone of an injured riot policeman. "They all need to see this picture so they know their destiny if they keep being there," she said. However, those using fireworks represent only a minority of the protesters. Vakho, a 32-year-old participant in the rallies, did not use them but still condoned their use, stating the goal was to exhaust the police. Protesters also employ lasers to shine into the faces of riot police, aiming to disorient them.
Gosha Lobzhanidze acquired a laser online, stating, "In the description, it was written you should not point it directly in the eyes, but I don't care." The lasers are also used as a communication tool, projecting messages on buildings to direct the crowd. David Dzidzishvili has mastered this technique, demonstrating how typing "make some noise" on his phone, linked wirelessly to the laser, prompts thousands to shout. At the end of the night, when police urge people to leave, the laser message reads: "It's the government that should get out."
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