Today marks 36 years since the tragic events of April 9, 1989, when Soviet armed forces violently dispersed a peaceful protest rally in Tbilisi, near the Georgian Parliament building. The crackdown resulted in the deaths of 21 people and left thousands of protesters suffering from the effects of an unidentified gas.

On that fateful day, the protest was a call for Georgia’s independence and sovereignty. The brutal repression of the rally stands as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom. The incident became a turning point in Georgia’s struggle for self-determination.

Two years later, on April 9, 1991, the Supreme Council of Georgia declared this date as the Day of the Restoration of Georgia’s State Independence, solidifying the significance of the events that unfolded in Tbilisi on April 9, 1989.

As we remember those who lost their lives, the spirit of their courage continues to resonate in Georgia’s ongoing journey towards independence and sovereignty.