Journalism of Courage
Tens of thousands gathered at Belgrade’s Slavija Square on Sunday in one of Serbia’s largest protests in years, demanding accountability from President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, reported AP. (AP photo)
The protests, led by university students and farmer unions, were sparked by the November 1 collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad that killed 15 people. (AP photo)
The protesters blame the tragedy on corruption and shoddy construction involving Chinese state companies tied to the station’s controversial renovations. (AP photo)
Actors, professors, and other public figures joined the movement, with actor Bane Trifunovic describing the rally as “a festival of freedom.” (AP photo)
The protests have expanded to include high school students, with classes suspended nationwide and students camping in university buildings. Occasional violence has erupted, reportedly instigated by pro-government thugs. (AP photo)
In a show of defiance, Vucic inaugurated a highway section on the same day, dismissing opposition calls for a transitional government and accusing protesters of exploiting students to seize power. “We will beat them again,” he said, promoting new initiatives like loans for young people to buy apartments. (AP photo)
Opposition leaders have proposed a transitional government to ensure free and fair elections, accusing Vucic’s administration of curbing democratic freedoms and manipulating past votes. (AP photo)
