Protesting students joined the rally outside the Georgian Parliament.

Students and faculty from two of Georgia's largest universities held new protests against the government's decision to merge the universities, and then joined a rally outside the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue.

As "Caucasian Knot" reported, on January 29, the 428th day of continuous protests, students from Tbilisi State University and Georgian Technical University gathered in Tbilisi. The Georgian Education Minister announced the merger of the two universities, and the students said the goal of the reform was to reduce faculty staff and fire government critics.

Supporters of Georgia's European integration, holding flags and banners, gathered this evening on the sidewalk of Rustaveli Avenue in front of the parliament building with unchanged demands: holding new parliamentary elections and releasing all those arrested for participating in demonstrations, Interpressnews reports.

Students and faculty members joined the protest on Rustaveli Avenue on the 429th day of continuous protests, opposing the merger of Tbilisi State and Technical Universities, Publika reports.

The protest against the merger of the universities took place during the day near the building of the Georgian Technical University, and in the evening near the first building of Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi Life reports.

"Professors of all universities, I call on you to take to the streets. Show this government that we will not abandon Tbilisi State University, the Technical University, Ilia University, or the education system," Netgazeti quotes Nino Dolidze, associate professor at Ilia State University, as saying.

Protesters in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners since November 28, 2024. Security forces violently dispersed the protests, using tear gas and water cannons, and detained protesters. Over 1,000 people were subjected to administrative prosecution during the protests. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report, "Key Points to the Persecution of Protest Participants in Georgia."