02.06.2025

Dear comrades, 

we are writing to you from the country that is at war, that is defending against imperialism. Being a student in such conditions is a challenge. And it is not solely an objective challenge that imposes upon us and our activities numerous impediments: the particularities of the rally organizing, a risk of being labeled as an unwitting accomplice to the aggressor, the ostensible insignificance of social issues in comparison with the existential threat. In fact, the key challenge — under the weight of which any courage and faith in equality, dignity and the common begin to wither — is subjective. With each passing month the lucidity of solidarity is being obscured by the stirred-up dust of the far-right, imperialist wars, capital's offensive and impunity of patriarchal arbitrariness.

This despair is only exacerbated by the fact — as we found out — that after the protest demanding a public dormitory the Jagiellonian University rector's office had initiated repression targeting six of your activists. Furthermore, no transparent procedure was carried out in the following year regarding the setup of Kamionka dormitory. We are profoundly indignant at how both the rector's office and the ministry meet your demands with indifference and disdain, how conceitedly they try to hush up the conflict and forget about their obligations. Every day on campuses, indeed, we are fed with empty talks on the significance of mutual respect, community and direct dialogue. But what weight do these words bear if even the bureaucrats themselves do not hold fast to these values? What purpose do such sedative mantras really serve? Seemingly, these days it is impossible for students in both Ukraine and Poland to influence what rightfully belongs to them — the University. 

Despite all of the above, we are writing this letter with great enthusiasm and a glimmer of hope. When we at Priama Diia heard about the occupation of the Student Council House at University of Warsaw, we were delighted. We began to follow your social media scrutinizing how everything was unfolding. This event sparked the slew of discussions between our union branches: whether similar actions are possible to organize in our circumstances, does it attract popular affection etc. With great excitement we genuinely sympathize with your struggle. 

Your determined struggle is of great value not only in Poland, but also for us. In these troubled times for many Priama Diia activists the occupation that took place at University of Warsaw sparked inspiration for struggle, reminded us once again that the fight for dignity, equality and the commons is not only feasible, but necessary. 

Thus on behalf of our union we stand in solidarity with you, młodzież Inicjatywy Pracowniczej, and with your just demands. Despite all the tall tales about the education services and the student as consumer, we all know that in truth the University belongs to us, students, hence it is you who are the ones to decide how it will look tomorrow. We wish you courage and endurance in this harsh yet important fight — for it does matter to us all. 

In solidarity from Ukraine! 

Independent Student Union Priama Diia/Direct Action