Sofia University Philosophy Faculty Vows Support for Student Blockade

A large white sheet stating "Occupation," written in red letters, is streched at the entrance of the largest lecture hall of Sofia University, which is occupied by protesting students. Photo BGNES

The lecturers from the Faculty of Philosophy at Sofia University have adopted a formal declaration in support of a students' protest occupation.

During the Faculty's general assembly Friday, faculty members tabled a support declaration, which was adopted by a large majority.

Although many individual professors at Bulgaria's oldest institution of higher learning have already stated they support the protest, this is the first official declaration issued by a unit at the university.

Student activists are distributing Friday in the university's central building in downtown Sofia leaflets explaining the goals and the reasons for the student occupation.

"We are extremely grateful to the Faculty of Philosophy. We urge other schools to follow it!" the organizer's Facebook group "Early Birds" posted on its page.

It was reported earlier that over 30 teachers - most of them professors at the Sofia University and the New Bulgarian University - have signed in support of students' occupation.

Students occupied the largest lecture hall, 272, at the Law Faculty of Sofia University on Wednesday and were joined Thursday by students from the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, and the Journalism Faculty.

Classes in the occupied lecture halls are cancelled. Students also declared the blockade will be permanent until their demands for fair and transparent politics are met.

The Hall 272 occupation was symbolic, as it was staged at a time when Constitutional Court chair, Dimitar Tokushev, who also teaches at the university, was about to give a regular lecture.

Students demanded explanation from Tokushev regarding the Court's decision to confirm the status of controversial media mogul Delyan Peevski as MP.

June 14 Peevski was elected and swore in as chair of Bulgaria's State Agency for National Security, a highly controversial move that sent off thousands in the streets, in protests which have continued since.

As a result of the public pressure, Peevski resigned on the next day, leaving his status as MP unclear.

October 8 the Constitutional Court formally decided that Peevski has retained his status as MP and can return to Bulgaria's Parliament.

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