Robin Forstier-Walker

Police used tear gas, water cannons and pepper spray to disperse crowds on the streets of Tbilisi.

Thousands of people gathered as municipal elections were being held.

Polling closed with a record low turnout because opposition parties largely boycotted the vote.

Georgia is in a political crisis.

Most leading opposition politicians are in jail after months of demonstrations against the government's decision to halt talks on joining the European Union.

Protesters, including many student activists, are calling for a peaceful revolution to replace what they say is a pro-Russian government.

For NPR News, I'm Robin Forestier-Walker in Tbilisi.