“We are demonstrating solidarity.”

This is the response of a student from the Faculty of Transport and Communications in Belgrade when asked by Radio Free Europe (RFE) why students in the blockade emphasize that their protests are leaderless.

In the interview, he preferred to be identified simply as a student of the Faculty of Transport and Communications, choosing not to disclose his full name.

He stresses that the faculty plenum’s consensus is that no individual should overshadow the collective.

For over two months, students have been staging blockades at numerous faculties across Serbia, primarily demanding accountability for the tragic accident in Novi Sad that resulted in 15 fatalities when a canopy collapsed at the Railway Station.

In recent weeks, mass protests have taken place in various municipalities and cities.

In response to their calls, tens of thousands of citizens have taken to the streets.

While the government denies any wrongdoing and asserts that students’ demands have been addressed, the protests and blockades have garnered support from various groups, including pensioners, farmers, lawyers, the Serbian Medical Association, theater companies, and certain education unions.

In their protest calls and official communications, students make a clear distinction from the agendas of political parties, NGOs, and youth activist organizations.

At protests, they display state and university flags, deliberately avoiding any political symbols.

“It’s crucial for us to maintain student autonomy at this time. The blockades were instigated by the students themselves, and they have mobilized the entire nation through protests. We prioritize our movement’s independence from external influences,” explains a student from the Faculty of Transport and Communications.

He adds that students have diverse political views, yet they are united by four demands presented to Serbian institutions.

“This is why we refuse to allow our achievements to be exploited for political gains or promotions,” he concludes.

Anonymity as a Means of Protection

A student from the Faculty of Transport and Communications in Belgrade highlights that their anonymity serves as a protective measure.

“We want all to feel secure and avoid targeting individuals when removing our blockades; instead, we prefer action as a collective with a shared stance,” he states.

Since the beginning of the blockades, students have faced hostility from pro-government media and officials.

Without substantiation, they have been labeled as “foreign mercenaries,” and accused of having their actions influenced by unnamed Western intelligence to orchestrate a “coup d’état.”

Calls were made to their homes and to their parents by the Security Information Agency for “informative interviews.” Personal details, like passport extracts, were disclosed in pro-government tabloids about those who publicly identified themselves.

More than 5,000 university professors have expressed support for the students.

In a petition, they condemned the authorities’ attempts at intimidation.

Zoran Stojiljković, a professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences in Belgrade, believes the government has failed to discredit the student protests.

“Operating without visible leaders is something such systems struggle to counteract. This strategy has proven effective, as it prevents easy delegitimization and maintains a sense of unity,” Stojiljković added in his remarks to RFE/RL.

Plenum as the Decision-Making Body

The students involved in the blockade assert that decisions are made in faculty plenums “based on the principle of direct democracy.”

A student from the Faculty of Transport and Communications explains that all students in the institution have the right to participate in these plenums.

“We want every voice to be heard, whether they support the blockades or not, allowing everyone to express their opinions and contribute to the decision-making process,” he states.

Decisions are reached through a majority vote among those present at the plenum.

The plenum also determines student representation in media and speakers for protests. According to a student from the Faculty of Transport and Communications, the “rotation principle” is applied to ensure no individual becomes dominant in public.

“It’s vital that the voice of each faculty is recognized, ensuring no faculty claims leadership in the blockades. We aim to demonstrate equality and that no viewpoint is enforced upon anyone,” he concludes.

Professor Zoran Stojiljković notes that this organizational structure has helped students transcend traditional political divisions.

“By voting collectively and communicating with varying representatives, they have avoided evolving into a leadership-based movement,” he explains.

Alongside faculty meetings, a university-level plenum has been organized, according to Luka Opruc, a student from the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad.

“This body consists of delegates from each faculty in Novi Sad, with each having three delegates and three observers. They relay their faculty’s views and vote at what we call the Uniplenum, where one faculty equates to one vote,” he elaborates.

While speaking to RFE/RL, Opruc identifies himself by name, as his faculty’s plenum permits it.

He adds that students in the blockade are organized into various teams.

“For instance, we have a PR team for communications, a hygiene team, and a logistics team for street actions and protests. Operational decisions are made by these teams, while the majority of decisions are subject to the plenary vote,” he lists.

Press releases from blocked faculties are also distributed through the plenum, emphasizes Luka Opruc from the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad.

Opposition to the Cult of Personality

A student from the Faculty of Transport and Communications in Belgrade asserts that the students have successfully united other social groups in their fight through collective effort.

“This approach is essential for enacting substantial change and demonstrating that we can eliminate the cult of personality,” he insists.

Together with university professors, students are dismissing Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s calls for dialogue, citing that the institution he leads is incapable of meeting their demands.

The students’ primary demand is the publication of comprehensive documentation regarding the reconstruction of the Novi Sad Railway Station to ascertain accountability for the accident.

They also seek justice for those who attacked students during protests following the Novi Sad incident and the cessation of proceedings against arrested protesters.

Moreover, the students are advocating for a 20 percent increase in the higher education budget.

The government claims to have fulfilled all student demands, urging them to reopen the faculties.

The students maintain that the blockades and protests will persist, asserting that expert groups will determine whether their demands have truly been met.

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