Tens of thousands of Georgians occupied the main thoroughfare of their capital Tbilisi for a second night in a row to protest a Russian-style bill that would label some non-governmental groups and media outlets as “foreign agents.” The proposed law is seen as an attempt to suppress civil society and reinforce the Georgian government’s propaganda that Western partners are not acting in the interest of Georgians. Facing backlash, the government on Thursday decided to withdraw the controversial law, stating that it aimed to “better explain to the public what the law [is] for,”—but the protests will continue for a third night.
