Georgia's Tens of Thousands Protest Against "Foreign Agent" Bill Amid US Concerns

Riot police have used tear gas, water cannons, and stun grenades to disperse peaceful protests, resulting in the detention of at least 20 people, including two US citizens and one Russian national. The protesters are among several thousand opponents of the bill who have taken to the streets to voice their opposition. The Georgian Parliament is set to adopt the controversial law, with the governing Georgia Dream party intent on passing it at a final hearing expected on Tuesday. The protests have been ongoing for weeks, with many Georgians expressing concerns that the law would undermine the country's bid to join Europe and restrict its ability to receive foreign funding.

Massive protests have been taking place in Georgia for almost a month, with demonstrators gathering in Tbilisi's central Europe Square. The protests are against the reintroduction of a bill by the Georgian Dream party that would require organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as "agents of foreign influence" or foreign agents. This move has been met with criticism from the White House, with National Security Adviser expressing deep alarm over democratic backsliding in Georgia and stating that the US stands with the Georgian people. The protesters claim they are fighting for their European future and freedom.