On February 23, 1991, a rally near the House of Cinema in Tbilisi demanded the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Georgian territory. Speakers also called for the release of arrested “Mkhedrioni” leaders. Guests from national liberation movements in the Baltic states, Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and other republics criticized Soviet military actions. The demonstrators marched from the House of Cinema to the government building (today’s parliament).

On May 30, 1991, under the leadership of the Anti-Occupation Movement’s initiative center, another demonstration took place at Shota Rustaveli Square. Protesters read the movement’s declaration and delivered speeches before marching to the Transcaucasian Military District headquarters. There, they read an address to USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev and the Supreme Soviet, describing Georgia as an occupied and annexed country within the “Soviet modernized empire.” The address labeled the occupation as armed aggression and an international crime, demanding the withdrawal of all Soviet armed forces from Georgia and the relocation of USSR state borders.

The Anti-Occupation Movement reiterated these demands on June 28, 1991, during another protest in front of the military headquarters. The main slogan remained: “The occupational forces of the Russian Soviet Empire must immediately leave Georgian territory!” Flyers promoting unification under the movement were distributed, and rally chants included: “Occupiers, leave Georgian territory!” and “Ivan, go home!”

Irakli Tsereteli, chairman of the National Independence Party, noted that the movement’s goal was broader than confronting authorities, though confrontation was unavoidable. The movement also ensured that information and manifestos were shared with foreign journalists accredited in the USSR and planned visits to industrial enterprises to meet workers.

On April 25, 1991, a nationwide strike demanded the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Samachablo and an end to media disinformation. Initiated by the Strike Committee of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Georgia, workplaces, institutions, and transport paused for three minutes, and classes in schools and universities were suspended. On April 28, around 500 employees of the Iveria Cosmetics Factory joined the strike.