The ruling party of the country of Georgia has suspended talks to join the European Union, causing an uproar.

The opposition says this is because of a pro-Russian effort to rig recent parliamentary elections

and turn the former Soviet Republic back towards Moscow.

Georgia is a nation of 3.6 million people between Russia and Turkey on the Black

Sea. As protesters continue to fill the streets, Nick Schifrin reports on the future of a

country that plays a pivotal role in U.S. influence across the region.

On the streets of the capital, Tbilisi, a fight for the country's future.

Last night, Georgian police charged, arrested by the dozen, pepper-spranged, and even assaulted protesters and journalists.

Thousands of Georgians demonstrated the government's decision to end talks with the European Union,

armed only with flags,

multi-generational indignity, and aspirations for a European future.

The government has been using excessive and disproportionate violence against peaceful protesters.

Standing right now in front of huge demonstration in Piliisi.

Anna Dolitze is a former deputy defense minister and chair of the opposition for the People

Party.

She and other opposition groups are boycotting parliament led by the Georgian Dream Party,

denouncing the institution meant to represent Georgians as instead denying the desires

of 80 percent of Georgians to join the EU.

This has been the cornerstone, Georgia's pro-European orientation, membership in NATO,

and that there is an inscription in the Constitution,

that all government officials should aspire to implement Georgia's pro-Western course.

Now we are standing in front of a clearly pro-Russian power

...