Georgia: Thousands Protest as Parliament Advances 'Foreign Influence' Bill
The Facts
Thousands of demonstrators on Wednesday protested outside Georgia’s parliament as the country’s parliament approved the second reading of a controversial "foreign influence" legislation.
Police reportedly used pepper spray, tear gas and water cannons, beating and arresting scores of people waving Georgian and EU flags attempting to block the side entrance to parliament.
The Spin
The brutal crackdown on the ongoing protests proves that the government does not promote democracy, but fears it. After abandoning the bill inspired by Russia's repressive legislation following last year's massive protests, the government is now trying to introduce it under a new label. The protests are already being compared to the Maidan in Kyiv a decade ago and peaceful resistance needs to continue against the bill that will turn into an instrument of repression of dissent and block Georgia's path to the
