09.05.09 Rally in front of the Parliament Premises

My dear people, I would like to welcome you all. Like each of you, I am also proud to be a child of this country. Georgian people have on numerous occasions proved that it is able to stand for its own dignity and its own children.

Several days ago people who had come to attend rallies, without much thinking decided to take the lead in saving the children who were being intimidated and offended. The main misfortune of this country is that nobody had any doubt that there are people in the Police who are capable of threatening a fifteen year old, and subsequently carry out their threats. Our people will show the entire world that if our country’s Government does not protect each of us, does not protect children, even those children who made a mistake which led to a crime, if the Government acts illegally and offends our dignity, the entire nation will stand for the protection of justice and law; people will protect the dignity of their own children and fellow citizens. 

Authorities should realise that they are in people’s service. Though, this Government does not have ability to comprehend this fact, and this is precisely the reason why it should leave.

We will be able to show the part of the society which remains sceptical and does not believe in our victory, we will be able to show the entire world that we are confident in our power. We will be able to show everybody that Georgian people have the ability of changing unworthy Government, and that it has power and courage not to fear bullets shot at them.
I would like to thank every person who went to defend the children who were in trouble. These people braved themselves to be targeted and shot. These people were protecting the dignity of the children and they would not fear in the face of real bullets as well.

Your steadfastness will inevitably bring us victory. None of us have any right to retreat even a step. Retreating would mean a betrayal and we will never allow that. We do not have any right to betray each of you who have practically been living in the streets all this time. 

Government is inadequate and cannot realise that it has been a month since tens of thousands of people are standing in the streets day and night, in cold and in pouring rain. It has been a month since young and old are standing and waiting for the adequate steps to be taken by the Authorities.

While the Government is not even admitting that the country is plunged into crises, being very well aware that the Government which led to the crisis should leave. 

This Government did not have enough courage to meet the opposition representatives in the Parliament premises. They did not have the courage to walk in front of you. Today the Government is thinking only about a single thing – how to preserve their chairs and offices.

In Government offices there should be honourable people chosen by you, people who would serve you and not use their posts for their own interests.

I believe that this will happen very soon, and the Government will change very soon.

Naturally, many are interested to know when this process will end. Trust me, the more we are and the more active steps are taken, the sooner this process will end. We shall move to active measures both in Tbilisi and in the regions. Since the State is not defending the rights of our citizens, we will defend the interests of the public. 

The First Georgian TV Channel (Public Broadcaster), with the aim of misleading and frustrating people, disseminated information that the opposition has allegedly changed its demands and it is no longer demanding President’s resignation. Believe me, I am declaring with full responsibility that nobody has changed and will change this demand. The only way for the country to find the way out of the crisis is the resignation of the President. The President should resign; this is what we have to talk with the Government.

We are waiting for an answer regarding the timing of the meeting with Saakashvili. I think this meeting will not take place because Saakashvili does not have courage to speak to oppositional leaders.

If the Government has a slightest responsibility towards its own people and the country, it should plan this meeting within the coming two days.

I would like to assure you that your courage is gradually changing the world attitude. I would like to assure that in the end, the attitude is changing for the benefit of people and justice.

All the people and personally I, who has relevant capacity will do our best to use our resources both within the country, as well as abroad, to let everybody interested in Georgia’s stability know that people are standing in the streets to protect the country’s independence and democracy. We are very well aware that democratic institutions are the best means for fighting for independence and democracy; but regrettably, we are deprived of such institutions. The largest democratic institution is you. “Demos” – this is people’s power. This is why you will be the ones to restore Georgia’s dignity.
Saakashvili will inevitably resign. He is very well aware of people’s power, he is very well aware of the meaning of month-long rallies.

We should all stand together. There should be as many of us standing together as possible, so that the Government takes adequate decision in the nearest future.

I am convinced that in this struggle we will win. No stepping backwards. We shall walk only forward. We shall not change our demand, since the threat to this country’s stability and democracy is Saakashvili himself.