Thousands protest in Georgia after terrifying, far-right violence cancelled Tbilisi Pride

Thousands protested in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Tuesday evening (6 July) after the capital’s Pride was cancelled amid far-right attacks.

Tbilisi Pride organisers were forced to cancel week-long Pride festivities after their officers were stormed by violent right-wing thugs, seizing the city with unrest and leaving LGBT+ Georgians terrified.

The violence was denounced by the embassies of more than 15 countries as well as top human rights groups – but the Georgian government instead blamed LGBT+ people.

But in a moment dubbed “historic” by Pride organisers, thousands of Georgians packed Rustaveli Avenue outside parliament in solidarity with Tbilisi Pride with a clear message: There’s no place for hate in Georgia.

“This anthem, flag and country itself belong to us, too!” tweeted Giorgia Tabagari, Tbilisi Pride’s director and a civic activist. “And we are not gonna give up on any of it!”