Bulgarian College Students Protest Blockade Gains Ground

Politics » DOMESTIC | October 24, 2013, Thursday // 13:51
Bulgarian College Students Protest Blockade Gains Ground: Bulgarian College Students Protest Blockade Gains Ground Bulgarian students have blockaded now the the Department of Journalism of Sofia's University, photo OffNews

The protest occupation of Bulgarian college students is growing Thursday with several lecture halls being now occupied.

Students from Sofia University, Bulgaria's oldest and most prestigious school, demanding the resignation of the Socialist-led government of Prime Minister, Plamen Oresharski, are still blockading the largest lecture hall – 272, but have also been joined by students from the Department of Mathematics and Informatics and the Department of Journalism, where several classrooms are under blockade now.

A blockade has been briefly held once again at the private New Bulgarian University, NBU. According to unofficial information, other Sofia colleges, including the University for National and World Economy and the Forestry University, are getting ready to do the same.

The protesting students first occupied Wednesday lecture hall 272 of Sofia University "St Kliment Ohridski."

The blockade caused the cancellation of the lecture of the Constitutional Court Chairman Prof. Dimitar Tokushev. Witnesses say he nearly fled the scene.

The protesting young people, about 50-60, from all departments of the University, not just the Law School, have demanded Tokushev's resignation over the decision of the Constitutional Court in the case known as "Peevski."

The Constitutional Court stirred controversy earlier in October when it reinstated shady media mogul Delyan Peevski as lawmaker. The move triggered new clashes between police and demonstrators in Sofia. Peevski's appointment as Chair of the State Agency for National Security (DANS) on June 14 unleashed a series of protests which were not appeased by the prompt cancellation of the Parliament's decision. Although the scandalous appointment was cancelled, the protesters demanded the resignation of the government over a number of other controversial appointments and suspected ties with oligarchs.

The youth say they are seeking moral responsibility from Tokushev and all their teachers, and are asking "if this was the example that professors from Sofia University give to students, who are the country's future judges, lawyers, prosecutors and politicians." They want Delyan Peevski to resign as a Member of the Parliament, and urge Oresharski to declare publicly and under oath, who proposed him as a director of DANS.

Meanwhile, their Facebook group "Early-Bird Students" has published a statement addressed to colleagues, friends and teachers.

In it, they urge them to not judge them negatively for interrupting classes because others have been destroying Bulgarian education for years. They stress students are part of society and must take a stand on issues that have been shaking it for four months now.

"Are you going to stand shoulder to shoulder with us for a better future, for morality in politics, conscience and respect for us, citizens, voters, the people? Or will you stand against us; acknowledge the status quo and agree to continue to live in a society with such politicians? It depends on you; on each and every individual! We are waiting for you to stand with us. Come on, join us!" the declaration says

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Tags: Department of Mathematics and Informatics, the Department of Journalism, New Bulgarian University, NBU, University for National and World Economy, Forestry University, Plamen Oresharski, Georgi Bliznashki, BSP, dimitar tokushev, DANS, Delyan Peevski, Constitutional Court, protesters, Sofia University, lecture hall, occupation

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