Protests: No Place for Christmas Tree Installation in Tbilisi

The Christmas tree, a symbol of the New Year, remains without a designated place in Tbilisi as it was traditionally erected in front of the Parliament building. However, this year the area is occupied by participants and supporters of the protest action called 'Fathers for Justice.'

Tents have been set up in that part of the Parliament area. For several months, two grieving fathers have been holding a protest here: Malhaz Machalikashvili, the father of Temirlan Machalikashvili, who was killed during a special operation in the Pankisi Gorge, and Zaza Saralidze, the father of Davit Saralidze, a minor who was murdered on Khorava Street in the capital.

On November 9, Tbilisi City Hall reached out to the protesters with a letter requesting to relocate the protest to another area, which sparked outrage among Tbilisi residents. An online petition has been launched under the slogan 'I refuse the tree, I choose the person,' which has already garnered more than 10,000 signatures. City officials have stated that the tree will definitely be installed, as it affects where the festive events will take place.