A public demonstration occurred outside the City Board (GO) headquarters of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in Čačak, escalating into significant confrontations with law enforcement following the blockade of intersections.

During the clashes, authorities deployed pepper spray and struck protesters with batons, according to reports from Beta.

The escalation occurred after midnight when demonstrators began throwing eggs at the SNS offices.

The protest initially started after the blockade of two key junctions in the city, where citizens left behind garbage they’d collected from the street occupancies at the SNS building.

Miloš Stevanić, president of the local SNS government, exited the party headquarters and began kicking the litter, provoking an aggressive response from the gathered protesters.

A heated exchange ensued between the citizens and SNS representatives accompanying Stevanić, but a more serious altercation was averted by police intervention standing between the two groups.

Students involved in the blockade urged citizens from Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš to initiate citywide blockades starting at 7 AM. Additional stoppages were planned in Kragujevac and Valjevo, with protests announced by citizens in Čačak to disrupt highway traffic, reported N1.

“We need everyone on the streets. Belgrade will come to a halt tomorrow. We call for a complete blockade of Belgrade at 7 AM, in response to police violence. This is a public call to all citizens, bikers, veterans, taxi drivers, and farmers,” stated the students via their X profile.

An informal group of students from Niš requested citizens to gather for a protest at the Basic Court at 7 PM.

“Tomorrow, Niš will stop. When respect for the Constitution and the law diminishes from those responsible for upholding them, then everything must cease,” they declared.

Reportedly, morning blockades commenced in Belgrade, Niš, and Novi Sad, with the first arrests occurring in Novi Sad.

The Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) issued a warning last night, stating that the planned blockades are illegal and that all necessary actions will be taken to ensure public order and peace.

“The Ministry of Internal Affairs cautions those planning illegal blockades that police will enact all needed measures to protect public order and peace, in accordance with their legal responsibilities. We urge everyone to maintain peace and stability, and appropriate criminal and misdemeanor charges will be imposed on lawbreakers,” the MUP detailed in a statement.

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