Today at 13:00 several dozens of university students, responding to a call from activist movement Organizata Politike (OP), gathered near the building of the Ministry of Education and Sports to protest against the higher education reform.
The students demanded the repeal of the reform, which has left many university departments empty and many students without department, calling for Minister Lindita Nikolli to step down. They carried signs stating “Nikolla resign!” and “Free and quality public education.”
Although the students had received an official permit to hold a “protest in front of the Ministry of Education and Sports, on November 23, 2016 from 13:00–14:00,” upon arrival they were blocked by a cordon of police officers that didn’t allow them in front of the ministry.
According to Viki Cipi, a member of Organizata Politike, “the police officers refused to talk with us or give us a reason why we were not allowed in front of the ministry.”
Update: The police blockade is clearly visible on the video below:
