Students have announced a 24-hour blockade of Autokomanda, one of Belgrade’s major traffic hubs, set to begin today at 10 a.m. They are inviting citizens to join them in this event, aimed at reiterating the demands that have driven their protest for the past two months. The schedule for the blockade, which will feature a performance by an academic choir, has been published. Students have also called for donations to help organize the action.
After two months of blockading over 60 state universities across Serbia, the students have decided to commemorate January 27, Saint Sava’s Day, with their most ambitious action yet. At 10 a.m., the 24-hour blockade of Autokomanda will commence.
On the “Pravni u blokadi” page on the social network X, it was announced that a procession of students from the Technical Faculties and the Faculty of Law would depart from the Faculty of Law at 9:15 a.m. Shifts during the blockade will last four hours each.
The blockade is symbolically titled “Under Our (Auto)command.” The official Instagram page for the student blockades has shared a detailed schedule of events, rules for the blockade, and the exact sections of the area to be blocked.
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
10:00 Start of the gathering at Autokomanda
11:52 Fifteen minutes of silence in memory of the victims
13:00 “Cooking with Students” begins
16:00 Blockade basketball game
18:00 Arrival of workers and their speeches
20:00 Turning on phone flashlights and reading of demands
Блокада Аутокоманде почиње у понедељак 27.01. у 10 ујутру и трајаће 24 сата. Имаћемо шаторе и грејна тела, као и неке активности попут ,,Чајанке са студентима”, мини фудбала, турнира у шаху и још много других. Смене ће бити у трајању од 4 сата.
— Правни у блокади (@blokadapravni) January 25, 2025
Позивамо вас да нам се придружите… pic.twitter.com/YX3Geb2HjL
Students have warned participants not to step onto the highway, as such actions could jeopardize safety.
They emphasized that the blockade is designed as a peaceful protest aimed at delivering a clear message, without incidents or unnecessary risks.
They appealed to all participants to adhere to the agreed-upon rules and movement plan to ensure everyone’s safety. Participants were also asked not to arrive at the location before 10 a.m.
“We reiterate that we distance ourselves from any connection to political parties, politicians, or non-governmental organizations. Our struggle is purely civic and student-driven. However, as always, everyone is welcome to support us as citizens, without any partisan, political, or organizational insignia. Thank you to everyone who stands with us and supports our fight for justice and accountability,” students stated in a press release.
Ahead of the blockade, students announced they need donations, including tents and red vests. Those who wish to donate can do so at the blockade site at Autokomanda.
Students of the Faculty of Philology have used social media to request help with sound equipment and wide-angle microphones for the choir’s performance during the blockade.
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The student uprising began in late November after students and professors of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts (FDU) were attacked on November 22 while paying tribute to the victims of the tragedy in Novi Sad. On November 1, a reconstructed canopy of the Novi Sad Railway Station collapsed, killing 15 people.
As authorities failed to respond, FDU students initiated a blockade on November 26, which soon expanded to over 60 state universities across Serbia.
Хвала вам пуно, извињавамо се што смо вас касно обавестили око донација.
— Правни у блокади (@blokadapravni) January 26, 2025
Потребни су нам само црвени прслуци и шатори, са храном смо обезбеђени.
Ствари можете донети данас до поноћи и сутра до осам ујутру на Правни факултет, а у понедељак на Аутокоманду.
Јавићемо вам где ћемо…
The students are demanding the publication of all documentation related to the reconstruction of the Novi Sad Railway Station and accountability for the deaths of 15 people. They also call for the prosecution of all attackers targeting students—whose numbers are reportedly growing—the dismissal of criminal charges and suspension of court proceedings against students and citizens detained during protests, and a 20% increase in the budget for higher education.
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Izvor: Nova.rs, Foto: Vesna Lalić / Nova.rs