Opposition Urges Supporters to Defend “Bloodless Revolution”

Protesters break into the Parliament. Click on image to view other pictures

Shevardnadze’s grip for power loosens as the opposition supporters hold the Parliament and the State Chancellery – two main governmental buildings in Georgia. No gun fire has been heard. No one was injured.

Eduard Shevardnadze, who was led by his bodyguards out of the Parliament, after the protesters stormed the legislative body, announced the state of emergency.

Nino Burjanadze, the opposition leader and Chairperson of the outgoing Parliament, declared herself as an acting President, saying “Shevardnadze is incapable to perform presidential duties.”

Key opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili called his supporters for calm and order. “This is bloodless, velvet revolution. But it is not over yet. We have to maintain our success. I urge the Georgian citizens to come here and defend our success,” Saakashvili said, while addressing tens of thousands of supporters outside the Parliament building late on November 22.