Students of Batumi State University (BSU) and the Maritime Academy have been staging a protest in front of BSU since morning. They declare that they will not return to their classrooms until the ruling Georgian Dream withdraws the Russian Law on Foreign Agents from parliament. They are also urging lecturers to join the protest.
News
Trending stories
- 1 Protests Erupt in Abkhazia Over Russia-Favored Law, Opposition Members Arrested
- 2 Edison: 13% Discrepancy Between Exit Polls and CEC Results Suggests Manipulation
- 3 Kobakhidze: German Chancellor Should Be More Concerned About His Own Problems
- 4 US-Sanctioned Russian Propagandist Present in Georgia During Elections
- 5 Judge of Tetritskaro Annuls Results of 30 Precincts Over Vote Secrecy Violations
- 6 Nauseda: Extensive Russian Interference Casts Doubt on Election Legitimacy
"The students of the Maritime Academy are on the right side of history, and we call on all lecturers to join us. Do not be afraid of losing your jobs. Georgia is in your hands. This country is in our hands";
"We express our solidarity with our fellow citizens, our peers, and all those who have attended the rallies and faced harassment and violence. We will remain here until our voices are heard and until the Russian Law is repealed";
"Those students who believe that this Russian Law is not beneficial for us have chosen to participate in the strike. Students from the Insurance Academy, Art University, and Grigol Robakidze University are now on strike. It is the students, the young people, who possess the power to reject the Russian Law and the Russian government. No one has ever prevailed in a confrontation with students and youth, and this moment will be no exception";
"We refuse to study in a country that would fall under Russian influence. Our aim is to reside in a European and independent Georgia";
"We initiated the struggle against a particular law, but it has transformed into a fight for freedom. Personally, I received a threatening call early in the morning, warning me that if I went to the capital, they would break my bones. This directly assaults the dignity and freedom of a Georgian. Youth emerge like this only once in decades, when their dignity and freedom are at stake,” remarked the striking students.
Several lecturers informed journalists that they would not conduct lectures and would stand alongside the students.
Students from more than 20 universities across Georgia are joining the strike. These include Tbilisi State University, Ilia State University, Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA), University of Georgia, Alte University, Tbilisi Art Academy, Caucasus University, Batumi Shota Rustaveli University, University of Business and Technology, National University of Georgia, Black Sea International University, Free and Agricultural University, State University of Theater and Cinema, Georgian-American University, Alterbridge, Sukhumi State University, Technical University of Georgia, Eastern European University, Samtskhe-Javakheti State University, and Kutaisi International University.
The ruling party plans to pass the Russian Law in its third and final reading during the plenary session on May 14.
