Tens of thousands march against Georgia's government as local election snubbed by opposition held

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Police in Georgia used water cannons and pepper spray on Saturday to push back protesters who tried to storm the presidential palace, as the South Caucasus country held a municipal election boycotted by the main opposition blocs amid a sweeping crackdown on dissent.

Tens of thousands rallied in the capital, Tbilisi, to protest repressive policies by the governing party, Georgian Dream, which they see as trying to pull Georgia away from its democratic aspirations and into Russia’s orbit.

They carried Georgian flags and placards supporting membership in the European Union, a cherished goal for many that has been enshrined in the country’s constitution.

Georgian Dream halted talks about joining the bloc last year, triggering waves of protests that have been met with mass arrests and police violence. The move came after the longtime ruling party declared victory in an election the opposition said was rigged.

The rallies, big and small, have continued despite a multipronged crackdown by the government through laws that target demonstrators, 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.

“We fight for our rights, for independence,” protester Sophio Asatiani told The Associated Press on Saturday. She said that she didn't want to see a return to the Soviet era, when Georgia was ruled from Moscow.

The rally’s organizers, including veteran opera singer Paata Burchuladze, called on protesters to “take power back into the hands of the people,” channelling widespread frustration with a government that has jailed key opposition figures, attempted to shut down critical media and used mass arrest and steep fines against largely peaceful demonstrators.