(29 Dec 2007)
1. Wide pan of rally
2. Wide of Levan Gachechiladze, Presidential candidate speaking at podium
3. SOUNDBITE: (Georgian) Levan Gachechiladze, Presidential candidate:
"We cannot allow to loose this struggle, even if it needs blood. Because it is a struggle for our children, for Georgia and Georgian land."
4. Wide of crowd cheering holding signs reading, "Media Freedom!" and "No Violence"
5. Wide of rally
6. Various of crowds gathered on city street
7. Various of Levan Gachechiladze marching holding banner
8. Various of protesters marching
STORYLINE:
Thousands of opposition supporters rallied in the centre of Tbilisi on Tuesday in an attempt to consolidate support ahead of presidential elections in the country.
Addressing the rally, one opposition candidate for the Presidency, Levan Gachechiladze said, "we cannot allow to loose this struggle, even if it needs blood."
"It is a struggle for our children, for Georgia and Georgian land," he told the crowds of opposition supporters.
Opposition leaders are already vowing to take to the streets if they judge the vote unfair.
Georgian President, Mikhail Saakashvili became a symbol of democratic reform in the former Soviet Union in 2003, after the brash young politician led large-scale street protests that ousted a graying veteran of the Communist era from power.
Now, the hero of Georgia's Rose Revolution faces a test of his own commitment to democracy in the January 5 presidential election, in which he is accused of silencing critics and restricting independent media.
Despite sinking approval ratings, the US-educated incumbent stands a good chance of winning a second term, benefiting from the failure of the opposition to unite around a single candidate.
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