The Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) announced that two people were arrested for disturbing public order and peace during a student gathering in Belgrade last night, and that an estimated 31,000 people gathered last night.
They state that a number of tractors were damaged near Pionirski Park, and two people were arrested for disturbing public order and peace.
“At the peak of the gathering at all locations in the city, the total number of people gathered from all other parts of Serbia and those from Belgrade who welcomed them, according to police estimates, was around 31,000. There were no major incidents or disturbances of public order and peace, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs appeals to all participants to ensure that today’s gathering continues peacefully and without incidents,” the statement said.
Students from all over Serbia are arriving in Belgrade on foot and by bicycle for a mass protest under the slogan “15 for 15” today. The rally is expected to be one of the largest anti-government protests in Serbia’s recent history.
Students from Belgrade’s universities gathered last night in central Belgrade on Terazije, where they staged a spectacular welcome for the demonstrators arriving in the Serbian capital.
The Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that it would take all measures to ensure that the protest proceeds with dignity, without endangering public order and peace, after Serbian officials warned that riots and violent behavior were possible.
The Serbian Parliament building will be closed until Monday to prevent incidents during the protest, the Serbian Parliament announced.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said last night that the goal of these protests was not to fulfill the students’ demands, but, as he stated, to carry out a colored revolution in Serbia.
“We responded to all four demands with full and sincere attention and diligence. However, in mid-December, we knew that nothing would ever be enough. No matter what we did, the demands would never be met, because the goal was to carry out a color revolution in Serbia,” Vučić said.
The protests, led by university students, began in November after a canopy at the Novi Sad train station collapsed, killing 15 people.
Demonstrations have been held almost daily since then, and today’s rally is expected to be one of the largest anti-government protests in Serbia’s recent history.
