“Mobilizing for the Mass Protest in Belgrade”
With a spectacle of fireworks, a vibrant red carpet, and meaningful medals, last night Belgrade students on blockade, alongside supportive citizens, warmly welcomed their peers from various cities across Serbia at Terazije, in anticipation of a mass protest scheduled for today in Belgrade.
Similar treatment was extended to motorcyclists, cyclists, and excavators coming from different regions of Serbia who converged in the heart of Belgrade. Citizens, students, and pupils from Niš, Kragujevac, Subotica, Vršac, Čačak, Valjevo, Loznica, and Jagodina made their presence felt in the Serbian capital last night…
The phrase “Pumpaj,” a rallying cry of the protest, echoed through the crowd, as a wave of people moved from the Slavija roundabout to Republic Square. Upon stepping onto the carpet, many weary young individuals removed their shoes and, amidst tears, laughter, enthusiasm, and relief, inquired, “So where are you Belgraders?”
Students, citizens, and farmers paraded past numerous boutiques, traveling on foot, motorbikes, and excavators all the way to Republic Square, where they were met with services, refreshments, food, first aid, and assistance in finding accommodations.
Unplanned gatherings of large groups of citizens occurred on Terazije and in front of the National Assembly of Serbia, continuing until the early hours of the morning. An incident was reported near the technical faculties on Bulevar kralja Aleksandra.
As mentioned by students of the blockaded technical faculties on their Instagram, at around 1:00 AM, an attack took place in front of their faculty building resulting in injuries to a student security guard and a professor from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering.
“The assailants fled after the incident, but there are signs that they were associated with a larger group believed to have entered the building across from the faculty. The police intervened, and the situation was momentarily contained,” they stated.
In a subsequent announcement made at around 3:00 AM, they called upon all citizens to gather in front of their respective faculty buildings to collaboratively ensure the safety of students, professors, and everyone present. They emphasized that student and professor safety is paramount.
On November 1, 2024, 15 people tragically lost their lives due to the collapse of a reconstructed railway station canopy in Novi Sad.
In the aftermath, students across Serbia initiated blockades of various faculties and universities, demanding accountability for the incident. Among their requests was the release of complete documentation regarding the upheaval of the canopy.
International media also reported on the warm welcome of students arriving to protest in Belgrade, with some even broadcasting the event live.
The mass protest scheduled for today will commence with gatherings of students and citizens at four locations: near Autokomanda, New Belgrade, Republic Square, and King Aleksandar Boulevard. Following this, all participants will assemble in front of the Serbian Parliament, across from a fenced park for “students who want to learn.”
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