“Tens of thousands of Serbs gathered on Saturday at a large student protest in Niš, pledging to transform the populist-led Balkan country into a free nation governed by justice and law. They said, ‘We deserve better.'”
This is how the American news agency Associated Press begins its report on yesterday’s large protest in Niš.
The article continues, “Students in this Balkan country, which has been firmly ruled by a right-wing, pro-Russian government for over a decade, have been holding protests across the country since the roof collapse at the Novi Sad train station in November, which killed 15 people. The government’s corruption is blamed for this.”
It states that nearly every day, tens of thousands of people gather at student protests, shaking the firm authority of President Aleksandar Vučić.
“We want institutions to work in the interest of all of us, not at our expense. We want a system that values knowledge and hard work, not obedience and silence,” is the statement from students quoted by AP.
Protesters from across Serbia gathered in Niš, about 200 km from Belgrade, for a rally that lasted 18 hours, and they declared that they know they deserve better.
The article continues, noting that the public at the gathering issued a decree declaring the values they are fighting for as “an oath for the future.” “Justice and freedom for which we fight will be stronger than any individual,” they declared.
AP also mentions the next protest scheduled for March 15 in Belgrade, and notes Vučić, who describes these civic gatherings as “an attempt by the West to overthrow him from power.”
“Vučić tried to undermine this protest on Saturday, claiming that support is waning and that he doesn’t think much of it. But students, with their determination, creativity, and energy, are gaining great support from citizens who have lost hope for change,” the report continues.
As stated, Niš is just one of the cities that have given a festive welcome to the students – because they are now marching through rural areas of Serbia, which are traditionally pro-government. Everywhere they appeared, they were welcomed with food and refreshments. Many cried and kissed them.
“The train station building has been renovated twice in recent years as part of a larger infrastructure project with Chinese state companies. Many in Serbia believe that during the works, construction safety rules were neglected due to corruption,” AP writes.
News agency Reuters also reports that tens of thousands of people traveled to Niš for the student protest to honor the victims of the disaster at the train station.
“Mass protests have been ongoing for the fourth month since 15 people died when the roof of the renovated train station in Serbia’s second-largest city collapsed on them,” the agency writes.
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Many Serbs, it adds, blame the collapse on corruption, which they link to the decade-long rule of President Aleksandar Vučić. Teachers, farmers, and other workers have joined the protests that began with a student blockade of university faculties.
“Vučić’s government denies corruption and claims it has launched a fight against this activity,” writes Reuters.
Hundreds of students began their march to Niš, and about 1,500 bikers joined them.
“By walking to Niš, we managed to awaken Serbia. We feel great and could walk another 130 kilometers,” the agency quotes one female student.
Although the prime minister and two ministers have resigned, and the prosecutor’s office has filed charges against 13 individuals, the students are not stopping their daily protests, demanding that the government release all documents related to the roof collapse at the train station and punish those responsible.
They also demand that the charges against protesting students be dropped and that more investment be made in higher education.
“To gain more support, Vučić went to eastern Serbia, where he met with farmers and citizens. He told them there would be no color revolution,” writes Reuters, adding that Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin on Friday accused Western intelligence agencies of trying to stage a “color revolution in Serbia.”
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Source: Nedeljnik, FOto: I. Marković