“We want changes”

TBILISI, Georgia – Before the crowds of young people whistling and yelling “Go, Go Misha,” before the pensioners, the politicians and other protesters marched down Rustaveli Avenue Thursday, one man stood quietly in front of Parliament in a priest’s hood.“It is my responsibility and obligation to stand in front of the people who fight for changes and ideas,” said Priest Rostom Patudze, who walked in front of Nino Burjanadze’s Democratic Movement United Georgia protest march, which left Tbilisi State University at noon, to get to parliament before the rest.

The only priest visible at the protest said he believes President Mikheil Saakashvili should resign and said he plans to stay with protesters until the end.“Sahakashvili took from us our dignity and freedom. We need it back for our creativity. He has shaken the basis of morality. We need changes,” said Patutdze.About 55,000 people expressed their dissatisfaction with the current administration in a daylong march and demonstration in front of Parliament. They came from all different walks of life: teachers, doctors, workers, pensioners, politicians and college students who all had different reasons for being there, but all wanting the same thing: a new government.