Public school students across Georgia are on strike, protesting the Georgian Dream's decision to suspend the country's European integration process.
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The protest is being led by students from Tbilisi schools No. 52 and 199 (Komarovi), as well as Kutaisi Physics and Mathematics School No. 41, Zugdidi schools No. 4 and 5, Kobuleti school No. 138, Gori school No. 9, Batumi schools No. 8 and 3, and Rustavi schools No. 15 and 20.
“We could not bear it and came out here to express our opinion that we want to go to Europe, and we will not allow the illegitimate government to take us back to where, unfortunately, we have been for two centuries and have not been able to escape,” said one student at the rally in the yard of Batumi State University, speaking to TV company Pirveli.
Students are calling on their peers, teachers, and school staff to join the protest.
TV company Pirveli reported an incident at Lanchkhuti Public School No. 2. Mariam Tsilosani, daughter of Shindisi Battle hero Emzar Tsilosani, recounted in a phone interview that she had to leave the classroom after a disagreement with her teacher over the protests.
“Do you like it now that children in Tbilisi are standing up and doing things that are not appropriate for them?” her teacher asked. Mariam responded, “Those children are not doing anything wrong, and I stand by them.” She then asked the teacher if she knew how children are treated and what is done to bring people to the brink of death. The teacher replied, “They only beat one person, a journalist, right?” Mariam responded, “It’s not just one; there are many people who are being beaten, hit, and the police are not doing their duty.” The teacher then raised their hands and said, “I will not continue anything with you.” Mariam said, “If you don’t continue, then I will get up and leave the class. Leave the class, and if these children follow you, then they will follow you. We all stood up and left the class.”
On November 28, the illegitimate Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, announced that Georgia would not put the issue of opening accession negotiations on the agenda until the end of 2028 and would refuse EU budget grants. This decision by the illegitimate government sparked protest rallies in Tbilisi and across the regions.
