Parents of children diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy say they will begin holding one-person protests near the residence of Bidzina Ivanishvili in Sololaki after being prohibited from gathering there.
Based on a statement released by the parents, the Ministry of Internal Affairs barred them from holding assemblies near Ivanishvili’s residence. In response, they say individual protests will be held every Wednesday and Friday at 7:00 p.m., which, under Georgian law, they argue does not constitute a gathering and therefore does not fall under the ministry’s restrictions.
“Since we have been prohibited from holding a gathering near Bidzina Ivanishvili’s residence, every Wednesday and Friday at 7:00 p.m. we will hold a one-person protest near the residence in Sololaki, which, based on the law, does not constitute an assembly and therefore is not subject to the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ directive,” the statement reads.
The parents also announced another protest outside the Government Administration building starting at 5:00 p.m. today.
“As every Monday, starting from 5:00 p.m., we will gather with supporters in front of the Government Administration to remind the authorities that we are demanding medication to save our children. Every day of government inaction equals a lost life,” the statement said.
Parents say they will also continue their ongoing demonstrations in front of the Government Administration and the weekly “Duchenne March” held every Sunday.
For reference, the parents have been holding continuous protests and overnight demonstrations outside the Government Administration for 28 days, demanding that the state bring into the country a medication which, they say, would ease their children’s condition and slow the progression of muscular dystrophy.
