Students and graduates are urging all citizens and employees in Serbia to join a second general strike on Friday, March 7. Their appeal has gained support from various organizations, including the expanded Rector’s College of the University of Belgrade, the Bar Association of Belgrade and Vojvodina, as well as multiple trade unions and private companies.

During the general strike, students and high school graduates plan to organize large protest marches in various cities. They are also encouraging citizens to participate by refraining from work, avoiding spending money, and rallying outdoors to bring awareness to the cause.

In media posts and on social networks, students have called on employees to take the day off or utilize sick leave this Friday. They are also encouraging colleagues to join them in this work stoppage and to avoid cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, cinemas, and theaters.

According to the University of Belgrade’s website, the expanded Rector’s Board has urged employees at the University’s member institutions to show support for the students by halting work during the day.

The Bar Associations of Belgrade, Kragujevac, and Vojvodina have declared that their members will cease operations, meaning that lawyers will not represent clients in courts, prosecutors’ offices, or police stations, except in special cases.

Students in Novi Sad are set to gather at 10 AM on campus, from where they will commence a protest march. At 11:52 AM, they will hold a 15-minute tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragic accident on November 1st outside the Serbian National Theater.

Following this, they plan to visit 13 public enterprises and institutions, inviting high school students, educators, and citizens to join them. Their route includes stops at PUC Informatika, PUC Urbanism, Basic Court, Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office, PUC Čistoća, Post of Serbia, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, and several others.

The union representing employees in public institutions in Novi Sad has expressed solidarity with the students but has not confirmed participation in the protest or strike.

Under the slogan “No easing of tensions,” students in Niš will gather at 11:30 AM in front of the Basic Court building to observe a moment of silence in homage to the victims in Novi Sad at 11:52 AM.

After the tribute, they will lead an organized protest march to the School Administration in Niš.

In Belgrade, high school graduates plan to assemble at Slavija at 3:30 PM and will then march around the city, making noise in front of the Ministry of Education, the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the Court of Appeal, and the Palace of Justice.

The protesters intend to return to Slavija by 5:25 PM, where several speakers will address the audience, concluding the protest at 6 PM.

Today, an informal group of Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) employees, known as “pRoTeSt,” also made a statement, urging citizens to gather in front of the RTS building on Takovska Street at 6:30 PM under the slogan “Silence Echoes.”

The rally will feature addresses from RTS employees who advocate for a professional work environment and better conditions at RTS, believing that it is essential for achieving a better society. Representatives from various worker and social groups will also attend.

Notably, the previous general strike organized by students occurred on January 24th, during which many citizens and collectives symbolically paused their work in support.

Students and high school graduates are hopeful that an even larger number of citizens and workers will join the work stoppage today.

(Voice of America)