On May 9, 2000, young activists held a protest in front of the Russian Embassy in Tbilisi to condemn Russia’s war in Chechnya. They carried banners reading “Down with the Russian Empire” and brought a pair of “Russian boots,” which they trampled underfoot to the sound of whistles and rattles.

“Our goal is to once again remind people of the violence and aggression Russia is committing against Chechnya… Today the Russians are celebrating victory over fascism, yet they themselves are destroying peaceful civilians… This action should help our fellow citizens understand their civic duty. War could start here tomorrow, and the aggressor must be condemned beforehand,” said participant Nino Danelia.

The protest against the Chechen war ended peacefully. “This is just kids having fun. They are not breaking order… They’ll come, talk, and leave. If they don’t leave, we’ll wait them out,” said Zurab Iakobashvili, deputy head of the Chughureti police. The Russian Embassy ignored the demonstration.