The number of the striking teachers in Russe increased to 800. The German Language School in the town also joined the protesting schools. More than 13 000 pupils are in a forced vacation because of the strike. The teachers protest because their salaries are not paid for June, July and August. The health condition of the two teacher syndicate leaders that have been on hunger strike for three days,gets worse. In the evening of September 19, a silent protest with candles was organized. 1000 citizens signed a declaration in support of the protesting teachers. The directors of the protesting Russe schools invited the Education Minister Vladimir Atanassov to discuss the problem.