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Protests regarding the Russo-Georgian War

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Russo-Georgian War
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Georgia (country) Abkhazia South Ossetia Russia

During the Russo-Georgian War, demonstrations were held all over the world to protest the Russian invasion of Georgia. Manifestations were also held in support of Russia and the separatists of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Pro-Georgian demonstrations received the largest turnout in the Baltic States, where thousands marched in protest, whereas large pro-Russia camps were observed in Russia and Serbia.

Protests against Russian involvement in Georgia

Countries Protest Photo
 Armenia Georgian university students studying in Armenia, Georgian students vacationing in Armenia and young Armenians born in Georgia staged their own rally of support for Georgia in front of the Russian embassy in Yerevan. They also said that only the Russian point of view was propagated to Armenians – from Russian news sources directly and by Armenian newscasters using only Russian sources. The actions were not welcomed by the local authorities. On 11 August 2008, the students said that they were asked to leave the country.[1]
 Austria A rally was organized in Vienna.[2]
 Azerbaijan On 11 August 2008, protest was held in front of Russian embassy in Azerbaijan against Russian invasion of Georgia. The police dispersed the action.[3]
 Belarus On 11 August 2008 the rally of solidarity with Georgia was held by the Young Front near the Russian Embassy in Minsk, Belarus. Fifteen activists of the organization gathered near the Embassy with streamers: "Stop aggression", "Russia-Georgia: war with peacekeeping goals?" "One sixth part of land – is it not enough?" Protesters managed to pass the petition to officers of the embassy. The picket lasted for about 10 minutes, until Police officers armed with machine guns arrived and broke up the rally, wringing the hands of protesters and detaining protesters Ilya Shyla, Ivan Shyla, Andrei Tychyna and Lyudvisya Atakulava. As a sign of protest, activists sat on the ground. As a result, policemen carried the activists to police car in arms.[2][4]
 Belgium On 11 August 2008, meetings against Russian military presence in Georgia have been held in Brussels. About 200 people took part. On the same evening 300 Georgians organized a meeting in another part of Brussels, near the Permanent Mission of Russia to the EU.[2][5]
 Canada On 13 August 2008, about 30 supporters of Georgia held a protest in front of the Russian embassy in Ottawa.[6]
 People's Republic of China On 11 August 2008, a group of Georgians held a protest in front of the Russian embassy in Beijing.[7]
 Czech Republic About three hundred opponents of Russian military operations in the Caucasus, Georgians and Czechs, protested outside the Russian embassy in Prague on 12 August 2008.[8]
 Estonia On 11 August 2008, citizens of Estonia took to the streets to support Georgia and express protest against Russia's actions in the conflict zone. According to local media, about 500 participants gathered on Town Hall Square in Tallinn.[2][9]
 Finland On 11 August 2008, a group of pro-Georgian demonstrators held a protest in front of the Russian embassy in Helsinki.[10]
 France On 10 August 2008, hundreds of pro-Georgian demonstrators held a protest in front of the Russian embassy in Paris.[11]
 Germany On 12 August 2008, a group of pro-Georgian demonstrators held a protest in Berlin.[12]
 Georgia On 12 August 2008, Latvian Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis alongside presidents of Poland, Ukraine, Estonia and Lithuania arrived in Georgia and took part in the mass rally in Tbilisi, to show solidarity with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.[13] The rally was held in front of the parliament and attended by nearly 150,000 people. The crowd responded enthusiastically to the Polish president's speech, chanting "Poland, Poland", "Friendship, Friendship" and "Georgia, Georgia".[14] Godmanis, Yushchenko, Kaczynski, Ilves and Adamkus held their joined hands aloft to cheers from spectators in the Georgian national colours of red and white, waving flags of the US, the European Union, France, Estonia, Lithuania and Ukraine.[15] "I am a Georgian," said Estonian president Ilves.[16]

On 1 September 2008, tens of thousands formed a human chain in Tbilisi and also in other towns of Georgia to protest the Russian military presence in the country. Georgian officials said it was the biggest protest in the ex-Soviet republic's history.[17][18]

 Greece On 12 August 2008, three rallies were held against Russia. About 300 persons took part in the largest protest in Thessaloniki.[19]

About 500 pro-Georgian demonstrators marched in Athens in early September 2008.[17]

 Hungary On 15 August 2008, a few hundred people gathered in front of the Russian embassy in Budapest, to protest against Russia's military operations in Georgia. The demonstration was organized by Fidelitas, the youth branch of the Fidesz party, and the Federation of Young Christian Democrats.[20]
 Iceland On 12 August 2008, in Iceland's capital Reykjavík, Lithuanians living in Iceland protested in front of the Russian embassy against the invasion of Georgia. Their spokesperson told the newspaper Fréttablaðið, "Lithuanians were in a similar position two decades ago and therefore Georgians have our complete compassion."[21][22]
 Israel On 9 August 2008, Israelis of Georgian descent protested against Russian intervention in Georgia in front of the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv.[23]
 Italy On 10 August 2008, pro-Georgian demonstrators living in Milan protested against Russian intervention in Georgia.[24][25]
 Latvia On 11 August 2008, more than 2,000 pro-Georgian demonstrators took part in protest march in Riga. Protesters marched from the Freedom Monument to the Russian Embassy.[2][26]
On 13 August, seven persons organised a rally at the Russian Embassy. Participants were confronted by supporters of Russia.[27]
People also were asked to light candles to show support to civilians of Georgia at the Riga Castle during Riga City Festival, which was held on 15–17 August.[28]
 Lithuania On 13 August 2008, people gathered in Lithuania's capital Vilnius to protest Russia's invasion into Georgia and to support Georgia. People were also saying "Hands off Georgia!"[29]
On 13 August 2008, people protested near Russia's General Consulate in Klaipėda, Lithuania.[30]
On 14 August 2008, music festival Be2gether started in Lithuania with a rally to support Georgia.[31]
 Moldova On 11 August 2008, members of the Liberal Party of Moldova held a protest in front of the Russian embassy in Chişinău.[32]
 Netherlands On 11 August 2008, pro-Georgian demonstrators in Netherlands protested against Russian intervention in Georgia in front of the Russian embassy in The Hague.[33]
 Norway On 11 August 2008, pro-Georgian demonstrators held a peaceful protest against Russia outside the Russian embassy in Oslo, Norway.[34]
 Poland On 9 August 2008, around 100 people held a protest in front of the Russian embassy in Warsaw, Poland.[35]
 Portugal On 13 August 2008, a group of Georgians who live in Portugal held a protest in front of the Russian embassy in Lisbon.[36]
 Russia On 25 August 2008, the meeting was held near the Chistye Prudy station in Moscow. About 150 people, including Russian human rights activists, demonstrated against the war and Russian military presence in Georgia.[37]
 Spain On 11 August 2008, a group of Georgians protested in front of the Russian embassy in Madrid.[38]
 Sweden On 12 August 2008, a group of Georgians and Swedes protested in front of the Russian embassy in Stockholm.[39]
  Switzerland On 11 August 2008, a group of pro-Georgian demonstrators protested in front of the Russian embassy in Geneva.[40]
 Turkey On 13 August 2008, a group of pro-Georgian demonstrators held a protest in Istanbul against the Russian occupation of Georgia. Turkish writer Fahrettin Çiloğlu also took part in a rally.[41]
 Ukraine People gathered in front of the Russian Embassy in Kyiv, as well as Russian consulates throughout Ukraine. They were holding streamers: "Aggression against Georgia is aggression against Ukraine!", "Georgia today, Ukraine tomorrow?", "Putin+Medvedev=Hitler", and Ukrainian and Georgian flags.[2]
 United Kingdom On 10 August 2008, a group of pro-Georgians demonstrators protested in front of the Russian embassy in London.[42]
 United States On 10 August 2008, in Georgia in the United States, more than 100 Georgian people, including Hawks [professional basketball] center Zaza Pachulia, gathered at Centennial Olympic Park at a peace rally.[43]

On 14 August 2008, people gathered at the UN headquarters and the Russian Consulate in New York City to protest against the presence of Russian forces in Georgia.[44]

Similar protests were made by people in support of Georgia in other US cities, including Chicago,[45][46] Seattle,[47] and Los Angeles.[48]

Protests supporting South Ossetia, Russia and/or Abkhazia

Countries Protest Photo
 Belgium Protests were held in Brussels during the visit of the US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice.[49]
 Estonia On 14 August 2008, the pro-Russian group Nochnoy Dozor held a meeting in front of the Russian embassy to support Russia. Russian ambassador Nikolay Uspensky thanked them.[50]
 Latvia On 13 August 2008 NGO Rodina and others organized a few hundred people to gather in front of the Russian embassy in Riga in support of Russia.[51]
 Moldova Pro-Russian demonstrations were held in front of the US embassy in the capital Chişinău where protesters held a banner that said "For South Ossetia. To Saakashvili and Bush – Hussein's destiny".[52]
 Netherlands On 12 August 2008, a group of Ossetians living in the Netherlands protested in The Hague to support South Ossetia and against Mikheil Saakashvili.[53]
 Russia On 8 August 2008, the mayor of Khasavyurt organized a rally to support South Ossetia.[54]
On 9 August 2008, the Ossetian diaspora in Moscow organised a meeting in front of the US embassy against Georgia's actions and their support from USA.[55]
On 12 August, more than 3,000 people in Makhachkala protested against Georgia and supported South Ossetia.[54]
On 12 August, the rallies were held against Georgia in Kemerovo and Khabarovsk.[19]
 Serbia On 13 August 2008, protests were held in center of Belgrade to support Russia. More than 500 people participated in the protests, where the major slogan was "Say no to war in Ossetia".[56]
On 14 August people came to the Russian embassy in Belgrade to sign a book of condolences for the South Ossetian victims. Russian Ambassador Aleksander Konuzin thanked the Serbian people and stated that he is very pleased because Serbs "did not fall for a propaganda scam, that is attempting to present an aggression on the part of the Georgian army against its own citizens as a conflict between Georgia and Russia" and added that "Russians will never go to war against Georgians".[57]
 South Ossetia In late August, a concert was held in Tskhinvali in remembrance of the victims of the war. The concert was conducted by Valery Gergiev, an ethnic Ossetian conductor.[58]
 Transnistria On 8 August 2008, protesters condemned Georgian actions at the meeting held in the city of Tiraspol. Viktor Kostyrko, mayor of Tiraspol, claimed that with the help from Russia, war would be stopped.[59]
 Turkey On 13 August 2008, around 100 protesters gathered near the Georgian Consulate in Istanbul shouting slogans "Free Ossetia! Free Abkhazia!". Protesters condemned Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. They also spoke against Turkey's and the Turkish press's treatment of the war.[60]
 Ukraine On 12 August 2008, the Russian people protested against Georgia in Simferopol.[61]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Georgian Students at Russian Embassy in Armenia". CNN iReport. 11 August 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Mass protests against Russia's aggression held worldwide". Charter 97. 12 August 2008.
  3. ^ "Protest in front of Russian embassy to Azerbaijan dispersed – UPDATED". Today.Az. 12 August 2008.
  4. ^ Акция протеста в Минске против российской агрессии в Грузии (in Russian). Belarus-Live. 14 August 2008. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Photos: Conflict in Georgia". 2008-08-11. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014.
  6. ^ "Protesters rally for Georgia outside Russian Embassy". CBC. 13 August 2008. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012.
  7. ^ "Georgians Protest in Beijing". Community TV Network. 12 August 2008. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011.
  8. ^ "VIDEO: Gruzínci v Praze protestovali před ruskou ambasádou" (in Czech). 12 August 2008.
  9. ^ "Baltic States Show Support for Georgia". Deutsche Welle. 11 August 2008.
  10. ^ "Georgians in Finland hold protest for peace at Russian Embassy". Helsingin Sanomat. 12 August 2008.
  11. ^ "Plusieurs centaines de Géorgiens protestent devant l'ambassade russe à Paris" (in French). Le Parisien. 11 August 2008.
  12. ^ "Kaukasus-Krise: Georgier protestieren gegen Russland" (in German). Spiegel. 12 August 2008.
  13. ^ "Baltic leaders rally in Tbilisi". Alfa. 13 August 2008.
  14. ^ "Lech Kaczyński: jesteśmy tu po to, by podjąć walkę" (in Polish). Rzeczpospolita. 12 August 2008.
  15. ^ "Baltic leaders rally in Tbilisi". The Baltic Times. 13 August 2008.
  16. ^ "Russia, in Accord With Georgians, Sets Withdrawal". The New York Times. 12 August 2008.
  17. ^ a b "Georgians stage mass protest". 2 September 2008. Archived from the original on 14 September 2008.
  18. ^ "Kaukasus-Krise: Hunderttausende Georgier protestieren gegen Moskaus Politik" (in German). Der Spiegel. 1 September 2008.
  19. ^ a b Мирная контратака (in Russian). Gazeta.ru. 12 August 2008.
  20. ^ "Youth group stages protest at Russian embassy". Politics.hu. 18 August 2008. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2008.
  21. ^ "Lithuanians in Iceland Protest outside Russian Embassy". Iceland Review. 13 August 2008.
  22. ^ "Islandijos lietuviai surengė Gruzijos palaikymo akciją" (in Lithuanian). Delfi. 14 August 2008.
  23. ^ "Georgian immigrants protest outside Russian embassy". Yediot. 9 August 2008.
  24. ^ "Striscioni in via Sant' Aquilino" (in Italian). La Repubblica. 11 August 2008.
  25. ^ "Ossezia, migliaia le vittime 40.000 sfollati Affondata una motovedetta georgiana" (in Italian). La Repubblica.
  26. ^ "Policija aiztur divas personas, kas traucē Gruzijas atbalsta gājienu" (in Latvian). Delfi. 11 August 2008.
  27. ^ "Pie Krievijas vēstniecības 'Miera sardzē' stāv septiņi cilvēki" (in Latvian). Delfi. 13 August 2008.
  28. ^ "Rīgas pils mūrī aicina iedegt svecītes par Gruziju" (in Latvian). Apollo. 15 August 2008.
  29. ^ "Keliatūkstantinė minia prie Seimo reikalavo Rusijos "patraukti rankas" nuo Gruzijos" (in Lithuanian). Delfi. 13 August 2008.
  30. ^ "Tęsiasi paramos Gruzijai akcijos" (in Lithuanian). Vakarų Ekspresas. 14 August 2008.
  31. ^ ""Georgia2gether" būgnų fiesta sudrebino Rotušę ir širdis" (in Lithuanian). Delfi. 14 August 2008.
  32. ^ "Manifestaţie pro-Georgia în Chişinău" (in Romanian). Pro TV. 11 August 2008.
  33. ^ "'De Russen doen net alsof ze vrede willen'" (in Dutch). De Volkskrant. 12 August 2008.
  34. ^ "Georgia-venner demonstrerer i Oslo" (in Norwegian). Aftenposten. 11 August 2008. Archived from the original on 13 August 2008.
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  38. ^ "Unos 200 georgianos condenan la guerra ante la Embajada de Rusia en Madrid" (in Spanish). soitu.es. 11 August 2008.
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  40. ^ "Des Géorgiens crient leur colère à Genève" (in French). Le Temps. 12 August 2008.
  41. ^ "Ethnic Georgians of Turkey Protest The Russian Occupation". bianet. 14 August 2008.
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  43. ^ Reinolds, Chris (10 August 2008). "Hawks player joins European Georgians in rally for peace". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on 22 May 2011.
  44. ^ "Pro-Georgian Demonstration at United Nations New York".
  45. ^ "Georgians In Chicago Protest Russian Military Action".[permanent dead link‍]
  46. ^ "Georgians In Chicago Protest Russian Military Action".[permanent dead link‍]
  47. ^ "Local Georgians protest". Seattle Times. 12 August 2008.
  48. ^ "Los Angeles Georgian Peace Rally August 17 2008".
  49. ^ "Saakashvili is a criminal" (in Russian). Nashi (youth movement). 19 August 2008. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011.
  50. ^ B0Ночной дозор" выразил поддержку России (in Russian). Delfi. 14 August 2008.
  51. ^ Президент Польши сказал лишнее (in Russian). RBC Daily. 14 August 2008. Archived from the original on 14 August 2008.
  52. ^ В Кишиневе прошел митинг в поддержку Южной Осетии (in Russian). Channel One Russia. 16 August 2008.
  53. ^ Саакашвили под трибунал! (in Russian). OSInform.
  54. ^ a b Дагестанцы считают, что Саакашвили подверг геноциду югоосетинский народ и подвел свой (in Russian). REGNUM. 13 August 2008.
  55. ^ У посольства США в Москве проходит митинг в поддержку Цхинвали (in Russian). RIA Novosti. 9 August 2008.
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  57. ^ "Russia thanks Serbians over crisis". B92. 14 August 2008. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014.
  58. ^ "Conductor Gergiev gives concert in Tskhinvali". 28 August 2008. Archived from the original on 15 September 2008.
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  60. ^ "Rally in Istanbul against Ossetia deaths". Hürriyet Daily News. 14 August 2008.
  61. ^ Грузия, прекрати бомбить Южную Осетию! (in Russian). 13 August 2008.
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