Large protests take place in multiple cities

Large protests took place on 1 September 2008 against Russia's recent military activity in Georgia. Reports indicate that more than 1 million of Georgia's total 4.5 million residents reportedly participated in the demonstrations in multiple cities. In Tbilisi, protesters linked together to form a human chain and President Mikheil Saakashvili addressed a rally of at least 100,000 people in Freedom Square. In Poti, where Russian forces continue to maintain checkpoints on the city outskirts, approximately 15,000 people participated in demonstrations, and in Gori, which was heavily hit by the recent fighting, approximately 10,000 people protested. Also on 1 September, European Union leaders gathered for an emergency summit in Brussels, where they froze strategic partnership talks with Russia, pending the withdrawal of its forces from Georgia. However, the body decided against implementing sanctions against Russia or freezing ties altogether.