The Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) stands in solidarity with the people of the Republic of Georgia during their rightful protests to uphold their hope for a free and democratic future for Georgia.

Starting with the disputed October 26, 2024, elections, which have been shown to have numerous irregularities and the Georgian government’s unwillingness to allow international investigations into its elections, the Georgian people have shown their resilience to uphold the democratic rule of law and stand against Russian-influenced forces.

Reports and evidence of violent crackdowns on protestors, arrests of opposition politicians, and attacks against journalists doing their jobs are contrary to a free and democratic society. Political violence does not have a place in today’s world and the government of Georgia must not punish those who are using their freedom to speak their mind openly.

The Baltic countries’ firsthand experience has shown how nations can prosper in the Western world. While a large swath of Georgians wants a future in the European Union, the Georgian government’s recent undemocratic actions threaten the free will of its citizens and pose a hugely disappointing and sobering threat of the country turning its back on Europe and falling under the negative influence of Vladimir Putin’s Russia and its backward mentality.

JBANC with its parent organizations – the Estonian American National Council, the American Latvian Association, and the Lithuanian American Council – stands with the people of Georgia in their fight for a more prosperous, peaceful, and brighter future in the West.

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