On November 5, 2007, a group of Georgian artists, musicians and members of the Georgian intelligentsia signed a petition supporting the Saakashvili administration against the opposition, which was currently staging a protest in front of Parliament.

Two days later, a force comprised of the Georgian police, military and Special Task Forces was deployed to break up the protests. Thousands watched in horror as people were attacked with tear gas, rubber truncheons, and water. By late afternoon it was reported that over 500 civilians had been injured and are awaiting hospitalization.

The protest was dispersed and later reorganised on Tbilisi's Europe Square, not far from the original location, as more and more people joined the ranks of the opposition, fuelled by anger at what the government had done. The police and Special Task Force were ordered to crush that protest as well.

At around this time, approximately 18:00, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said that "everyone has the right to hold demonstrations and express their opinions" and that he will "always protect this right of expression."

Hoping to avert a serious outbreak of violence, leaders of the opposition told protesters to move away from the oncoming police. The protests began moving uphill, toward Tbilisi's Sameba Cathedral, as Special Task Forces shot rubber bullets and water into the crowds, injuring hundreds more.

At the climax of police violence, a prominent Georgian was quoted as saying "in signing that petition, we have allowed the government to do this". Dissappointment, dissullusionment and disbelief grew throughout the day as one shocking event emerged after another.

The police actions continued late into the night. At approximately 23:00, two television stations, Imedi and Kavkaz TV (the former is a member of News Corp.) were stormed by Special Task Forces and taken off the air, several journalists were injured in the process.

All other media outlets, including the BBC, CNN and Euronews, have been taken off the air in Georgia. only the Georgian state media company is still allowed to function. Telephone lines have been blocked for a number of hours, and most Georgian news websites have been shut down. Schools were closed as President Saakashvili announced a "state of emergency".

The only access that Georgian people have to news is through foreign news websites, which are not always accurate and have too little information. There is no live coverage of the events in the country and the already omnipresent feeling of uncertainty has worsened.

Opposition leaders eventually called off the protests to "avoid more injuries at the hands of the government." Since the beginning of the protests, no progress has been made and the president continues to deny all accusations against him. He says he will be "blackmailed" into giving up power.

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