site.btaProtests in Response to Public Unrest following Novi Sad Tragedy Held in Several Serbian Cities

On Sunday evening, several cities across Serbia witnessed protests organized in response to ongoing public unrest following the collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy on November 1, 2024, which claimed 16 lives, Serbian media outlets reported. Police Director Dragan Vasiljevic told Serbian public broadcaster RTS that nearly 104,000 citizens gathered at 95 locations across Serbia on August 31.

The counter-protests were organized by the pro-government organization Centre for Social Stability based in Novi Sad. Demonstrators carried Serbian flags and balloons bearing slogans such as "We will not give up Serbia" and "Citizens against blockades".

Participants included Serbian Prime Minister Marko Djuric, cabinet ministers, Serbian Progressive Party (SPP) President and former prime minister Milos Vucevic. Commenting on the events, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that "Serbia's greatest value is its people," and that is why "we must talk; we must engage in dialogue."

"Together we can do anything," Vucic wrote on Instagram and posted a video of the ongoing protests.

The gatherings of SPP supporters were organized as counter-protests to the blockades involving citizens and students, who are demanding early parliamentary elections and accountability for those responsible for the tragedy in Novi Sad. The gatherings were held for the third time in the last two weeks.

Protests were held in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kragujevac, Krusevac, Kraljevo, Subotica, Pozega, Aleksinac, and Zajecar, among others.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali said that these gatherings "show that Serbia will not allow anyone to destabilize it." "Serbia is showing love, support, understanding, tolerance, and faith in our country’s ability to overcome all challenges," Mali wrote on Instagram.

The latest round of protests came just hours before September 1, which marks 10 months since the Novi Sad tragedy.