A student sit-in at the administration building of the Helsinki University ended peacefully this morning. The protestors held discussions with Helsinki University Chancellor Thomas Wilhelmsson about proposed regulatory reform, details of university legislation and the status of students.
About 100 students occupied the university’s administration building from Thursday afternoon. About two dozen protesters remained until morning.
Nationwide Protests
The students had occupied the building as part of a nationwide wave of demonstrations protesting a slew of legislative reforms approved by government the same day.
A group of about 100 students took over the building during the afternoon, and remained on the first and fourth floor of the building located at Yliopistonkatu 4.
“We have had prolonged discussions with different working groups. We need more time before these laws go forward, and the right to discuss the matter, and not just with marginal groups,” said Heinonen.
The students believe that Thursday’s protest action, which also attracted staff members, was successful.
University students and faculty around the country held protests on Thursday over the timetable for university legislation reforms. Demonstrations were held in Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Oulu, and Joensuu.
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2009/02/overnight_student_sit-in_ends_at_helsinki_university_557609.html
