**Nationwide Strike in Georgia Brings Country to a Standstill**
On January 15, hundreds of companies across Georgia went on strike for three hours. This unprecedented action brought the country to a standstill, with protests and banners appearing throughout Tbilisi.
**Protests Call for New Elections and Justice**
The strike was called to demonstrate the potential consequences of Georgia’s international isolation under the current government. Protesters demanded that the government release all imprisoned protesters and hold new elections. The large-scale strike involved businesses, universities, restaurants, offices, and larger companies.
**President Shows Support**
Protesters gathered at many locations in central Tbilisi, including near Cafe Stamba and Republic Square. President Salome Zurabishvili showed her support by joining the demonstrators. She warned that attempts by the Georgian Dream government to provoke confrontation among the people would not succeed.
**Major Businesses Join Strike**
Some of Georgia’s largest banks, such as TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia, did not directly participate in the strike but expressed their support for employees‘ freedom of expression and right to join protests. Several major companies, including PSP (a pharmaceutical company) and Karvasla (a trade and business center), joined the strike.
**Violence Erupts**
However, an incident occurred on Dolidze Street, where protesters were attacked by thugs. The attackers physically and verbally assaulted the demonstrators who were on strike. This was captured on video and quickly spread on social media.
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