Protests in Georgia’s capital continue to swell, opposing pending legislation that would force organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from a foreign source, as foreign agents. Opponents say the law is Kremlin-inspired and authoritarian.
Protests in the capital haven’t been opposed by the police today and have been largely peaceful, although tear gas and stun grenades were deployed by law enforcement against the protests, some of which were marked by violence, the last two days. Demonstrators have not shown any signs of backing down, according to Reuters.
The ruling Georgian Dream Party, founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, has pushed the law as an effort to diminish Western influence. The passing of the legislation and standoff is seen as a larger determinate of whether the Caucasus country of 3.7 million will move towards European or Russian influence in the coming years.
