Students and lecturers are holding a demonstration near Tbilisi State University.

The protesters are protesting the decision of the Ministry of Education to merge Tbilisi State University and the Technical University.

One of the main demands of the students is to hold a public meeting with TSU Rector Jaba Samushia.

According to the protesters, they want to meet with the Rector live, not behind closed doors, because, they say, the Ministry of Education’s decision affects everyone and the public has the right to know what awaits Tbilisi State University and the Technical University.

“The state is committing violence against the university. Givi Mikanadze decided to unite the universities without the rectors or students knowing anything about it.

With the new reform, they are trying to undermine the freedom and independence of universities.

Students are going to fight and protest.

I call on students and lecturers to go out and protest. The state is afraid of students coming out and protesting. We need to go out, show how many of us there are and they will refuse the decision.

The only action that will bring the struggle to its goal is to go out and protest - “Autonomy for the university,” the students say in their speech.”

A parallel rally is being held in the yard of the Technical University. As TSU students say, they will march to the Technical University and join the protest participants.