TBILISI – In the heart of Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, throngs of demonstrators came together on Friday to commemorate a full year of continuous protests. The protests are in response to the government’s controversial choice to suspend discussions about joining the European Union.

Armed with drums, whistles, banners, and flags, the protesters filled Rustaveli Avenue, the city’s main artery, in a vibrant display of dissent.

The ongoing protests first sparked on November 28, 2024, following an announcement by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who declared a pause in the country’s EU membership talks.

His announcement incited a massive public outcry, with thousands flooding the streets, particularly around the parliament building in Tbilisi, and igniting demonstrations in other cities across Georgia.

Although the number of participants has dwindled over time, a determined group of demonstrators remains steadfast, gathering daily to voice their discontent.

Protester Sopo Batilashvili accused the government of taking away “the future our ancestors fought for and that we were proud of.”

Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party has tried to curb the movement by tightening rules on public assemblies, as well as passing a wave of laws targeting rights groups, nongovernmental organizations and independent media.

Critics say some have been modeled on legislation passed in Russia, where President Vladimir Putin has harshly stifled dissent.

Wearing face masks, blocking roads or erecting temporary structures now carries up to 15 days of administrative detention for protest participants and 20 days for organizers.

First-time offenders previously faced a fine of 500 Georgian lari ($185). That amount has been multiplied tenfold to 5,000 lari ($1,850). A second offense brings criminal charges.

Hundreds have been detained under the new law. Among them is Rusiko Kobakhidze, a mother of nine and researcher at the Soviet Past Research Laboratory, who has been protesting daily outside Parliament.

Kobakhidze was arrested twice in November for blocking a street during protests and received sentences of one and four days behind bars.

“For my children and grandchildren, I don’t want a country where they cannot speak openly, where they will be treated unjustly and won’t find justice,” she told The Associated Press.

Authorities have also intensified pressure on opposition parties.

Georgian Dream has petitioned the Constitutional Court to ban the country’s three main opposition groups — the United National Movement, Akhali/Coalition for Change and Lelo.

Several opposition leaders are jailed, in exile or facing criminal charges which opponents say are politically motivated.

Tina Bokuchava, chairperson of the United National Movement, said the ruling party founded by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire who made his fortune in Russia, “is essentially fulfilling every single strategic objective that Vladimir Putin had vis-à-vis Georgia.”

Despite the suspension of accession talks, Georgian Dream officials insist the country’s European path remains unchanged.

“Our foreign policy is EU integration and NATO integration. Nothing has paused and nothing has changed in that regard,” said ruling party lawmaker Mariam Lashkhi.

She added that international pressure should not influence “internal social economic development policy.”

The EU enlargement report issued on Nov. 4 cited democratic backsliding by Georgian authorities. It said their “repressive” actions are “fundamentally incompatible with EU values of democracy.”