The deafening sound of whistles echoes through Belgrade ahead of the central gathering for a mass student protest, which is being held today under the slogan “15 for 15”. Thousands of people from all over the country are gathering in the center of the Serbian capital, after months of protests against the current government.
A strong police force has been deployed, and fears of possible clashes have been further fueled by supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić who are camping in front of the Presidency building, AP reports.
Although the students in the blockade announced on social media this morning that the central gathering place for today’s protest will be Slavija Square instead of the plateau in front of the Serbian Parliament, they still stuck to their original plan. The protest is scheduled for 4 p.m. in front of the Parliament.
The students held up large banners that read, among other things, “Demands not met”, “The Lord is law to the oppressed, law in times of trouble”, “We organize freedom”…
Gathered with drums and whistles, they make a lot of noise and chant “Pump, pump”.
Earlier today, the students planned to change the central gathering place, as they stated, in light of recent developments and faced with the increasingly heated situation in society.
As they stated, certain changes have nevertheless been made, and the stage will be in front of the Parliament and at Slavija.
Several incidents were recorded during the night, and Interior Minister Ivica Dačić stated that 13 people were detained.
Belgrade police have arrested a driver, Ž.M. (50), who injured three people with his car at one of the gathering points for the student protest, the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs announced.
An ambulance transported the injured to the Emergency Center for further treatment, they added in a statement.
Police say the driver offered active resistance, but was subdued and arrested.
“The police continue to work in cooperation with the competent prosecutor’s office to establish all the facts and circumstances of this event,” they said in a statement.
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.
