For two days, citizens thronged to Belgrade for what would be the largest protest in modern Serbian history, despite authorities attempting to impede the demonstrations by halting public transportation. Striking from all corners, a massive march by thousands of students whose journey commenced from smaller towns across Serbia reached the capital city, filling its streets as they took over different strategic points.

“I came for my child, for my son, so that his future can be better,” a young man expressed to DW.

Police reports put the peak turnout at 107,000. However, according to Arhiv javnih skupova, an NGO that monitors public gatherings, the protest size could have been much larger.

The protest, originally initiated by students who have been blockading state universities, grew into a clearer fight against the systemic corruption of Serbia’s ruling Serbian Progressive Party, with President Aleksander Vucic under particular scrutiny for consolidating power and dismantling institutions.

The demonstration featured a broad coalition of supporters including professors, teachers, healthcare workers, lawyers, IT professionals, war veterans, bikers, and farmers.

Despite the absence of widespread violence, there were reportedly 22 arrests and 56 injuries, with police attributing these incidents to provocations by protesters seeking disorder.

Nevertheless, the protests unfolded without significant disturbances in most places. Critics accused Vucic of power consolidation and institutional erosion, with demands for accountability for the canopy collapse at the Novi Sad railway station and broader opposition to government corruption.

Public sentiment appeared unified with a significant showing of collective consciousness. As one protester put it, “We’ve made noise. We raised our voices. Whether it changes anything, now we know we’ve stood up together.”

Following protests, speculation arose over authorities possibly deploying a sonic cannon to scatter protestors, leading to acute distress during a moment of silence honoring the victims of the Novi Sad disaster. The opposition lawmaker voiced similar concerns, though the police dismissed these claims.

Looking ahead, the path for the protests remains unclear. With no clear political strategy and no announcement on how the movement will progress, the authorities seem content with the current state of unrest, as they have enough incidents to discuss without any serious threat to their control.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/serbia-public-outrage-on-show-in-historic-belgrade-protest/a-71935675?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf