Judging from reviews, some Russians aren’t entirely surprised and delighted at the Soviet Occupation Museum, so this set of exhibits is likely not entirely popular.
On 9 April 1989, there was a large demonstration against Soviet occupation of Georgia. Around 10,000 people gathered in a demonstration calling for independence, which didn’t go down well with the Soviets. The Soviet army took over from local police in an attempt to disperse these pesky protesters with their dream to be free, leading to one of the worst massacres in recent times. The Soviets said that their armed forces defended themselves against an attack, although they also managed to beat a 16 year old girl to death in front of her mother.
It was the end, the people had had enough and 9 April is now a national holiday in the country, called National Unity Day. Political pressure came to a head over the next few months and a referendum was called on 31 March 1991 to decide the country’s future. On a turnout of 90.6%, the Georgian people voted by 99.49% to 0.51% to become independent once again. On 9 April 1991, deliberately two years after the massacre, Georgia became independent.
In the exhibit case in the photo above is a bludgeon used on the protesters and some of the chemicals used on those who wanted freedom.