Sopo Getsadze
The cost of living in Georgia dramatically rises. During the past year the water tax has increased by 50%, the cleaning fee has also increased… The youth is expecting that the kissing will be feed or prohibited. According to the existing legislation, the conduct which violates the citizens’ peace is fined by 100 GEL.
The security guards prohibit people to kiss. These kinds of prohibitions evoked protest among youth. As the student Besik Liparteliani states he has information from the social network facebook that soon the kissing will be prohibited in all parks, buses and any public transportation. “Soon they might prohibit kissing on the chick. The citizens’ initiative may change a lot,” – noted Liparteliani.
The young people held an action called “We love and kiss.”
Davit Shubladze: “Since the kissing or touching has been prohibited in the public place, we started to have a feeling of protest. This is not a crime. The security guards prohibit people to kiss. With this action we want to show them that this is normal. People can kiss.”
Besik Liparteliani: “I – a Georgian citizen have right to express the way I want wherever I want unless it violates rights of others. I do not think the kissing violates rights of other people.”
Information on the kissing action was disseminated through facebook. 300 people expressed desire to attend the action. 600 people clicked maybe attending. The action was supposed to be a performance. The couples were supposed to simultaneously start kissing and show the security guards that this kind of conduct is admissible and should not be prohibited.
Surprisingly, more journalists came than the action participants. Only three couples dared to make out publicly. Many came just to watch the participants. Many really protested against the security guards who threaten to use force in case of use of force.
Lusinada Jandieri: “Nothing is abnormal here. Personally I do not want to live in the country where I cannot touch and kiss people.”
Tina Agmusi: “I have seen how young people kissed in 60ies. I also wanted to have a boyfriend. People are born to love and give birth. Creation is life and love is creation. Nothing can happen without love.”
Some people protested against the action and did not hide their resentment.
Tsisia Rostiashvili: “Why should I see people making out when I go to the park? This is not nice. We are Georgians and Christians. See Sameba Church and Patriarch’s residence. Do not they believe in God?! Are not they scared?! It is time for fasting now. Cannot they control themselves? I would love to beat these people.”
Lali Zurabiani: “Of course I am protesting! If you want to kiss, go home and kiss there. People should not do it outside, in front of others.”
The idea to open a kissing square was initiated at the action where the couples would kiss and “have right to do anything.”
The gathered people could not reach consensus. Security guards could not be persuaded not to prohibit the kissing in the squares. They noted though that the main offender is government which prohibits kissing and does not offer alternative places to the citizens.
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