In Varketili, in the 2nd microdistrict of the Upper Plateau, there is a small park between apartment buildings known as “Ana’s Garden.” The adjacent land was privatized by Tbilisi City Hall in 2016, and in 2018, a permit was issued for the construction of a high-rise building. The local community, which opposed the project, appealed to both the developer and City Hall to offer an “alternative location” for the construction. However, both claimed that the park was not under threat.

In November 2019, when the fenced-off area was prepared for construction, residents began 24-hour protests in defense of Ana’s Garden. On January 9, 2020, construction equipment was brought to the site, but the next day one of the largest demonstrations took place — residents set up tents. Ten people were detained by the police that day.

On the evening of February 22, 2020, activists planted trees and set up benches and tables, creating a “guerrilla park.” At that time, the developer had already brought construction machinery onto the fenced territory. Two days later, company representatives removed the benches and tables and reinstalled the fence.

On February 27, 2020, the Tbilisi City Court upheld the activists’ lawsuit and suspended construction until a final decision was made. The company appealed, and on April 27, 2020, the judge partially satisfied the appeal and returned the case to the City Court for further review.

Despite the protests and ongoing legal disputes, construction of the high-rise resumed after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. Another protest was held on May 23, 2020, in front of Tbilisi City Hall. The mayor called the protesters a group of “idle people.” Eventually, the high-rise building was completed.