Arguing that Cuba’s public universities are permeated with political indoctrination and devoid of academic freedom, thousands of petitioners plan to ask the country’s National Assembly to open independent and religious universities, the Chicago Tribune reported today.

More than 5,000 people, mostly college students, have signed the University Students Without Borders petition. Organizers say they want to get close to 10,000 names before submitting the request next year. They are asking the government to convert public schools or reopen closed school buildings.

Organizers told the Tribune that they expect the petition will be rejected and are mainly trying to raise awareness about the lack of academic freedom at Cuba’s universities.

“The universities here aren’t an altruistic activity,” said one political activist. “Sometimes they cancel classes just to have a political march.” —Beth McMurtrie